Re: The Vinland Map's Ink

On 25 Apr 2005 12:38:10 -0700, "Ken Towe" <ken.towe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>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.

Could it be that celluloid is the mysterious material which confused
the C14 dating of the VM until it was removed 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.

But not if they had already recognised that the ink was not iron-gall.
Mind you, they would still have good cause to be cautious about what
bleach might do to the ink in any case.
>
>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!

Could the ink of the VM be described as 'fugitive'?
>
>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.

I think Enterline needs to fill out his thesis in more detail if it is
to have any credibility at all.
>




Eric Stevens

.

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, ... if the ink must be protected during the cleaning ...
    (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)
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