{"id":496,"date":"2017-05-06T09:50:53","date_gmt":"2017-05-06T09:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/?p=496"},"modified":"2017-05-06T11:41:23","modified_gmt":"2017-05-06T11:41:23","slug":"iron-gall-ink-at-glamorgan-archives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/iron-gall-ink-at-glamorgan-archives\/","title":{"rendered":"Iron gall ink in the Edward Thomas manuscripts and its conservation at Glamorgan Archives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dating back to the 1st<\/sup> century AD and used all the way until the 19th<\/sup> 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 gall ink, and some even include using wine.<\/p>\n

So, one of the problems with this historic ink is that the degradation process of it can be detrimental to the paper or work of art it has been used for.<\/p>\n

Excess iron (II) sulphates in the ink accelerate the oxidation process in the paper or parchment due to their reaction with atmospheric oxygen. There are three signs of degradation:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Haloing: When there is a faint spreading of the ink.<\/li>\n
  2. Burnthrough: When the ink becomes increasingly visible on the reverse of the page.<\/li>\n
  3. Lacing: The inked area is so weak and friable that it causes the paper to crack and eventually fall out. This is possibly the most detrimental.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Example
    Example of lacing, from the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Luckily, none of the manuscripts from the Edward Thomas collection had lacing. They, however did have a slight haloing. In order to test the paper for iron gall ink, we dipped an indicator paper impregnated with bathophenanthroleine into deionised water and spot tested on an appropriate area. The bathophenanthroleine reacts with ferrous ions to form a pink complex.<\/p>\n

    Many of the Edward Thomas notebooks tested positive for iron gall ink, meaning that none of the papers could be treated with water because the ferrous ions could spread, causing further degradation. Luckily for us, in a paper written in 1995, Neeval suggested a calcium phytate aqueous treatment, where the phytate chelates (bonds) with the Iron (II) ions. It does not break down Iron (III) because it is a stable molecule, so that means the ink doesn’t fade. However, this treatment strategy has been met with some challenges because it is highly interventive, and there have been many international projects looking into the treatment of iron gall ink with calcium phytate. (Kolar et al. 2005, Kolbe 2004, Tse et al., 2005, Zappala and De Stefani 2005, Botti et al. 2005, Hofmann et al. 2004, Jembrih-Simb\u00fcrger et al. 2004, Reissland and de Groot 1999.)<\/p>\n

    \"Testing
    Testing one of Edward Thomas\u2019 notebooks. The pink complex indicates ferrous ions are present in the ink.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Looking at the alternatives, this is the most effective aqueous method of prolonging iron gall ink\u2019s life time with minimal side effects. So, it was agreed that treating the notebooks in question with a calcium phytate bath was the best step forward to prevent further damage due to iron gall ink.<\/p>\n

    It is with thanks to the National Manuscript Conservation Trust <\/a>and the Glamorgan Archives<\/a> that the Edward Thomas<\/a> manuscripts housed at Cardiff University\u2019s Special Collections and Archives<\/a> can be treated and conserved accordingly. In the same breath, it has served as an important learning tool for myself as a conservation student.<\/p>\n

    \"Mixing
    Mixing up the calcium carbonate and phytic acid to make calcium phytate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The BBC has a great clip about Iron Gall Ink: http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/p033dbrb<\/a>\u00a0 in BBC Four\u2019s\u00a0documentary Oak Tree: Nature\u2019s Greatest Survivor.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>The full programme can be purchased from the\u00a0BBC Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    References:<\/u><\/p>\n

    Neevel, J. (2009). Application Issues of the Bathophenanthroline Test for Iron(II) Ions. Restaurator 30, pp.3\u201315.<\/p>\n

    http:\/\/www.kennisvoorcollecties.nl\/en\/projects\/collection-risk-management\/paper-heritage-metamorfoze\/ink-corrosion\/<\/a><\/p>\n

    http:\/\/www.averybazemore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bazemore_Avery_MA_thesis_16092016.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

    https:\/\/irongallink.org\/igi_index888e.html<\/a><\/p>\n

    This blog was originally posted on the Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives blog<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"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 […]","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":497,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6,3],"tags":[66,65,21],"class_list":["post-496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-objects-and-treatments","category-volunteering","tag-glamorgan-archives","tag-volunteering","tag-works-on-paper"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4fDDX-80","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":431,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/shedding-some-light-glamorgan\/","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":0},"title":"Shedding some light – using the Glamorgan Archives lightboard for map conservation","author":"Pamela Murray","date":"January 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Devin Mattlin and myself have been volunteering at the Glamorgan Archives for the last 3 months under the guidance of Lydia Stirling. 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The conservation lab at the archives is a beautiful room with large windows, lots of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Volunteering"","block_context":{"text":"Volunteering","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/category\/volunteering\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2017\/01\/photo5pam.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2017\/01\/photo5pam.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2017\/01\/photo5pam.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":720,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/conserving-edward-thomas-herbarium\/","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":1},"title":"Conserving Edward Thomas\u2019 Herbarium","author":"Pamela Murray","date":"October 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"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. \u00a0 Leaves and flowers are generally removed from archives or books collection, as this organic material encourages pests, stains paper and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Objects and Treatments"","block_context":{"text":"Objects and Treatments","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/category\/objects-and-treatments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2017\/10\/pam-post.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":734,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/the-significance-of-volunteering-in-the-heritage-sector\/","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":2},"title":"The Significance of Volunteering in the Heritage Sector","author":"Stephanie Whitehead","date":"February 6, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you ever wandered around a historic landmark and marveled at the landscaping? Or wondered how often those statues in the museum have to be dusted and who does it? Have you ever walked into a small, local museum and noted how few 'staff' are present, or asked why it's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Volunteering"","block_context":{"text":"Volunteering","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/category\/volunteering\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2018\/01\/garden-party-photo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2018\/01\/garden-party-photo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2018\/01\/garden-party-photo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2018\/01\/garden-party-photo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2018\/01\/garden-party-photo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2018\/01\/garden-party-photo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":131,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/the-mutual-benefits-of-volunteering-with-susie-sandford\/","url_meta":{"origin":496,"position":3},"title":"The Mutual Benefits of Volunteering with Susan Sandford","author":"Nerys Rudder","date":"February 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"During my time at Cardiff University I have been keen to add to my practical skills by volunteering. There are always opportunities for students to donate their time to local heritage projects and between 2013\/2014 my colleagues, Sara Brown and Johanna Thunberg and I, have been working with the National\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Internships and Placements"","block_context":{"text":"Internships and Placements","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/category\/internships-and-placements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The waterwheel at Aberdulais Tinworks and Waterfalls. 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Some stories are happy, some are tragic, and some are simply a mystery. In this post, I will share details of an unusual object and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "About CU Conservation"","block_context":{"text":"About CU Conservation","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/category\/about-cu-conservation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2020\/02\/DSC_0030-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2020\/02\/DSC_0030-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2020\/02\/DSC_0030-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2020\/02\/DSC_0030-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2020\/02\/DSC_0030-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2020\/02\/DSC_0030-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"meta_box":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/228\/2017\/05\/iron-gall-ink-recipe-et-blog.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=496"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":507,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496\/revisions\/507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/conservation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}