Faded ink

Kathie Bordelon <kbordelo<-a t->mcneese< . >edu> writes

>Is there anyway to "bring out" iron gall ink on paper that has
>faded?

A technique which might allow you to read the writing, without
altering the document itself, is to try infrared photography. It
requires special infrared sensitive film, as well as a filter for
your camera that will exclude all other wavelengths. Kodak has a
publication on "Applied Infrared Photography" (pub. M-28) that
explains the process. Infrared light penetrates the surface of
objects slightly more than visible light, and so the resulting
photographic image can record more than is visible to the naked eye.
The technique has been used to enhance the visibility of faded
writing on documents, Northwest Coast paintings on wood, etc.

Jane Ketcham

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:83
                  Distributed: Tuesday, March 25, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-83-004
                                  ***