XXXIX. Some observations on ancient inks, with the proposal of a new method of recovering the legibility of decayed writings. By Charles Blagden, M. D. Sec. B. S. and F. A. S

Abstract

In a conversation some time ago with my friend Thomas Astle, Esq. F. R. S and A. S. relative to the legibility of ancient MSS. a question arose, whether the inks in use eight or ten centuries ago, and which are often found to have preserved their colour remarkably well, were made of different materials from those employed in later times, of which many are already become so pale as scarcely to be read.