This post was originally written for the Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives blog. They have kindly allowed us to share their post here on our blog as well. Leaves and flowers are generally removed from archives or books collection, as this organic material encourages pests, stains paper and can be poisonous, but when Read more
Dating back to the 1st century AD and used all the way until the 19th century, iron gall ink was a common writing ink throughout Europe. It is made from iron sulphates, gum, tannins extracted from galls (generally oak tree galls), and water. There are different recipes and methods found throughout history to make iron Read more
In late January I was privileged to join the Carlyle House Wallpaper Survey team with Andrew Bush (National Trust), Rebecca Ellison (National Trust), Johanna Payne (Independent Paper Conservator) and Linda Skippings (The Carlyle House Steward). We were tasked to survey the wallpaper condition in the hallway and stairway over two days and draw up a report with Read more
Devin Mattlin and myself have been volunteering at the Glamorgan Archives for the last 3 months under the guidance of Lydia Stirling. We have been cleaning pamphlets and a leather bound book from the 1800s. The conservation lab at the archives is a beautiful room with large windows, lots of clean flat working spaces, and Read more
