Survey on iron gall ink

Last call for participation in the Iron Gall Ink Survey

Problems connected with degradation of paper documents and books
caused by iron-gall inks are well known to conservators, restorers
and conservation scientists working in this field. The extensive
research in degradation reasons and effects of iron gall inks, as
well as research and testing of different conservation methods and
chemical agents have brought significant results helping to solve
some of these problems.

Despite these facts and achieved results, however, we still feel
that there is a certain gap between applied research and knowledge
in the field on one hand and practical methods of treatment in
routine daily practice of many conservation workshops and
laboratories in different countries of the world. Different barriers
in dissemination of relevant information may cause this gap: either
lack of communication, shortage of available information sources and
means or language barriers (which cannot be underestimated), etc.

In order to be able to define this gap and to improve dissemination
of relevant information, the Metals In Paper European network
organizes this survey with the aim to identify the main problems in
the field and to help in their solution. As the main goal of the
survey is to know the real situation in everyday routine
conservation treatment of iron gall ink papers, the conservators,
restorers and people responsible for preservation of this
documentary cultural heritage are kindly requested to provide their
practical experience and not some taught theories. Please, do not
hesitate to leave some answers blank and feel free to give your
opinions and answers, which will help to solve our common problems.
The results of this survey will be available at
<URL:http://www.miponline.org>)as soon as we have relevant number of
your answers.

Before answering the survey itself--which are, in your opinion, the
main barriers in dissemination of relevant information:

    lack of communication
    shortage of available information sources
    shortage of means for communication
    language barriers
    difficulties in applying research results in routine practice
    other (please, define)
    no barriers in dissemination of information.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We are sure that
your answers will help to all of us.

Information on how to participate in the survey can be found at
<URL:http://www.miponline.org/survey/surveypage.htm>

John Havermans
coordinator EU Thematic Network Metals In Paper (MIP)
TNO Built Environment and Geosciences
+31 15 276 3313
Fax: +31 15 276 3023
PO Box 49
2600 AA  Delft
The Netherlands


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:28
                Distributed: Tuesday, November 29, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-19-28-015
                                  ***