Permanent markers

Test results for both the *Pigma* and *Sharpie* appeared in an article
by Rose M. Wood and Stephen L. Williams, "An Evaluation of Disposable
Pens for Permanent Museum Records," published in Curator 36/3 (1993):
189-200.  "Curator" is the quarterly publication of the American Museum
of Natural History.  The article includes results of tests for
lightfastness, resistance to fluids, resistance to smearing or flaking.
*Pigma* is rated "good" for all 3, while *Sharpie* is given a rating of
"fair."  The authors also ranked the *Marsgraphic Pigment Liner Pen* as
"good."

I have looked into the *Pigma* pen more closely and received information
from the American representative of its Japanese manufacturer, Sakura of
America, 30780 San Clemente St., Hayward, CA 94544 (510-475-8880).
*Pigma* is a dispersion of finely powdered particles in a water-based
liquid medium (trade secret).  For details, request their flyer "Pigma
Ink Story," which claims that field tests show light stability to be
excellent.

For background on the history of pens, see Margaret Holben Ellis, "The
Porous Pointed Pen as Artistic Medium," in Manchester 1992 Conference
Papers (Institute of Paper Conservation, 1992): 11-17.

Nancy Schrock
15 Cabot St.
Winchester, MA 01890

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 8:31
                 Distributed: Monday, October 31, 1994
                        Message Id: cdl-8-31-002
                                  ***