Re: The Vinland Map's Ink

In support of his theory, Enterline wrote this....

"The bible of conservators at that time (1950s) was the 1937 edition of
Plenderleith, which advocated the same treatment for parchment
manuscripts as for paper: regular household bleaching fluid*, sodium
hypochlorite."


I have obtained a copy of Plenderleith (1937). Chapter IV addresses
practical methods of cleaning and repair. It is true that no specific
distinction is drawn (in the 1937 edition) between the methods used for
parchments and papers. However, Plenderleith does indicate that the use
of hypochlorite bleaches will cause problems for iron-gall inks. He
states (page 48) rather specifically: "Any signatures in iron-gall inks
will disappear unless they are protected beforehand." For protection,
he describes a local application of a celluloid solution in 5% acetone
applied to the print while it is dry and removed after the bleaching,
when it is again dry, by an acetone wash. Such a warning followed by a
specific conservation procedure renders the Enterline hypothesis
implausible. Clearly, if the ink must be protected during the cleaning
process, it cannot also be "contaminated" with anatase from some
blotting paper during the bleaching stage. The simple fact that
hypochlorite bleaches are damaging to iron-gall inks should have been a
red-flag to any conservator considering cleaning the Vinland Map.

Enterlines goes on to write:

Plenderleith described a bleaching method to be used on a document
whose ink was unknown and possibly fugitive.9 The method avoids the
more usual procedure of immersion in bleaching fluid. Instead, a piece
of dry tissue paper is laid on the face of the document. Then one
brushes liquid bleach onto this paper and lets it soak through,
peeling away the tissue before drying occurs.

However, Plenderleith says this (page 49) with regard to "fugitive"
prints:

"In such cases the prints are laid face down on glass, and a pad of wet
blotting paper applied to the back for a few minutes and then removed;
after this the minimum of bleaching solution is applied to the moist
back of the print by a camel-hair brush. It permeates the paper, having
a mild bleaching action on the front."

Again, if the document is positioned FACE DOWN on glass and it is
wetted with a blotting paper ON THE BACK, especially one that has not
itself been in bleach, the addition of anatase from the blotting paper
can never reach the ink!

Enterline also wrote this in an asterisked footnote...

"More recent editions of Plenderleith endorse the modern practice of
never bleaching parchment."

Add the fact that bleaches harm parchments and and the Enterline
hypothesis for the Vinland Map becomes a candidate for the trash bin.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: The Vinland Maps Ink
    ... When I presented the case = presented what's been found in the ink he said ... result would have been found in ink after clean mineralsand been poured over ... > I have obtained a copy of Plenderleith. ... > applied to the print while it is dry and removed after the bleaching, ...
    (sci.archaeology)
  • Re: The Vinland Maps Ink
    ... Enterline wrote this.... ... >I have obtained a copy of Plenderleith. ... >applied to the print while it is dry and removed after the bleaching, ... But not if they had already recognised that the ink was not iron-gall. ...
    (sci.archaeology)
  • Re: The Vinland Maps Ink
    ... >> theory re bleaching as the source of the anatase. ... >> nature of the ink which was to be affected by the bleaching. ... >> Towe seem to have been focussing on Enterline's theory as to the ink. ... >the parchment which, being semi-tanned protein should also be ...
    (sci.archaeology)
  • Re: The Vinland Maps Ink
    ... >>> theory re bleaching as the source of the anatase. ... >>> nature of the ink which was to be affected by the bleaching. ... >>> Towe seem to have been focussing on Enterline's theory as to the ink. ... >>the parchment which, being semi-tanned protein should also be ...
    (sci.archaeology)
  • The Vinland Maps Ink
    ... McCrone's discovery of anatase in the ink of the Vinland Map appears ... A traditional way of cleaning documents was by bleaching. ...
    (sci.archaeology)