Ink In The 1920's

[abstract49]

For the past 43 years (+ a few months), I've been rooting around through (mostly) Texas county records. In recent times, most of what I look at is second generation or later copies of the original, but in the past, and occasionally still, I get to look at the original pages.

 

Early on (1970's), I wondered why all the ink was brown. Then, some years ago, I read an article in a legal treatise that explained it thusly: Inks in the 19th and early 20th centuries (mostly) used iron to make black; iron oxidizes over time, turning to red (of which brown is a variant). Hence, the ink remaining in the original records was brown, where it had been black when laid on the paper.

 

Can't say this is accurate, can't say it isn't. Just reporting what I read many years ago.

[Lou Erickson]

BTW, this was cool and from the US Government archives.

I wish I had enough gumption to make some of these to see what color they are.

 

Also: Really cool find.

Edited April 18, 2014 by Lou Erickson

[wallylynn]

I wish I had enough gumption to make some of these to see what color they are.

 

Also: Really cool find.

 

you can make a rudimentary iron gall (iron tannate) ink in your kitchen:

 

- soak iron wool/nails in vinegar.

 

- make some really strong tea (multiple tea bags, less water).

 

- mix the two liquids. voila!

 

Note: this is not fountain pen friendly. use your finger, a dip pen, paintbrush to write.

 

 

[white_lotus]

It's a very interesting article. Tannic acid was one of the more corrosive components to pens. Oxalic acid will harm pens less, but paper much more.

 

Found this link to excerpts of NBS Circular 413 on "Inks".

 

http://evanlindquist.com/othermedia/oldinkapndx.html