Faded ink

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

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

I heard few times that faded iron gall ink can be temporary
recovered by exposing the ink to ammonium hydroxide fumes, the
remains of the iron compounds reacts with the ammonium and there is
some ink recovery effect, this effect is temporary since the process
can not be stabilised, remember that working with ammonium hydroxide
requires working in a fume cupboard.

Michael Maggen
Senior paper conservator
The Israel Museum Jerusalem

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:83
                  Distributed: Tuesday, March 25, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-10-83-005
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