National Archives – Civil War Ink

[Jared]

I had the opportunity recently to visit the Research Section of the US National Archives while in Washington DC.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0043_zps21dd5c39.jpg

 

If you comply with their procedures and security restrictions, anyone is eligible to research a wide variety of topics using primary sources. I highly recommend it!

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/Research-1_zps1c6e135b.jpg

 

I chose to view the papers of General Robert E. Lee and Lt Gen Jubal A. Early, both significant confederate military leaders during the US Civil War (1861-65). This collection is found in what was once labeled as the “Rebel Archives” and contains many unique and original documents. Much of the Federal side of the war seems to be on microfilm, but I prefer to view original documents, which comprise much of the confederate side of the war.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/RebelArchives_zps839c7d0e.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/CSAWarDept-4_zps07ed9b72.jpg

 

I have enjoyed the handwriting styles from the time of the Civil War, and was thrilled to view many with historical significance. Granted, many were copies of originals, but written by clerks with excellent handwriting. The few original documents which were likely handled by those to whom they were addressed were enthralling to handle.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0293_zpsab3c523f.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/FreedomtoSlaves_zps075c47c3.jpg

 

I was particularly interested in the ink used by the authors. Most used the usual iron gall ink, which I have long admired.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0272_zps21417e82.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/LtrtoLee-1_zps721194de.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/ValleyDistrict_zpsf7086798.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/Charleston-1_zps2d18bf4d.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/LinedPaper_zps7f82b458.jpg

 

The vintage dark brown of the iron gall is one reason why I love Rohrer & Klingner Sepia, which I feel is closest to this color.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/FieldReport-5_zps8d21aaec.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0325_zps9353fa8a.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0108_zps384f5fc5.jpg

 

This ink smudge helps to show the full color range of this ink.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0050_zpsb09165c0.jpg

 

On very rare occasion I saw a unique blue ink, which looked as though it had just been written yesterday. I’m not sure if this is an iron-gall ink or otherwise, but I was thrilled to find it.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0101_zps4b4e575b.jpg

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0104_zpsb8c0290c.jpg http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0097_zps66a206a3.jpg

 

(Note that Col Avery, who signed this strength report, died at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1863)

 

Also, the red on this nice blue lined paper, with a unique pressed stamp.

 

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/feldgrun/DSC_0318_zpsa1e6b6d5.jpg

 

I have added more pictures in a section about Civil War Paper.

Edited December 15, 2014 by Jared

[amberleadavis]

Thank you! I'm with you, I want that blue!

[jmccarty3]

This is a fascinating and much appreciated post. What a surprise that blue ink must have been. It looks to be about as permanent a blue as anyone could want, and the color demonstrates that ink freaks are not limited to the present time.

[linearM]

I had a similar experience going to our local historical society and looking at the original school board minutes from the 1860's. I was amazed at the handwriting. I'm assuming that the meeting notes were made and then recopied in the book, but the script was absolutely beautiful.

 

The entries were no doubt made with a dip pen. The little I have used a dip pen I am amazed at the patience the recorder must have had. A dip doesn't seem to get you very far.

[TheRealScubaSteve]

That's pretty cool. I even noticed some feathering. I wonder if the writer was cursing the paper (or ink) like we do.

[inkstainedruth]

Man, that must have been the coolest experience, Jared.

I would have expected a blue black or a dark blue. But that bright blue is amazing.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[PS104]

As Joe Franklin might have said 'What a great trip down Memory Lane - ink-wise"

And that picture of the interior room looks like a wonderful place to take that trip back in time

Thank you

[UDog]

What will there be of us 150 years from now?

[Bookman]

Excellent report. The photos are brilliant.

[Charles Rice]

What will there be of us 150 years from now?

Deleted e-mails

[penmanila]

very nice, thanks. there's a a great exhibition going on at the archives right now, until january 15, i think focusing on historic signatures (and the letters and documents they went on), everything from washington and jefferson to hitler (a surprisingly small signature) to einstein and michael jackson. there's also an interesting frame containing about 50 ceremonial pens used by kennedy and johnson--most if not all of them esterbrook desk pens!

[Daisy25]

That was wonderful to see. The handwriting is positively lyric. And the colors are great. I'm thinking I need to put some sepia in a pen later today . . .

[Paddler]

The blue ink is probably indigo. They used this dye sometimes with iron gall ink so you could see it while you were writing. They may have used the plain dye sometimes.

 

I have some records written in the mid 19th Century with iron gall ink. The writing is still black where the writer used fresh ink. As months passed and the ink began to age, the writing became more and more brown. I doubt that it looked sepia back in the day.

[Morbus Curiositas]

Very cool.

 

As a reading addict and a man wiht a pathological broad range of interests (Morbus Curiositas) I would love to have a holdiay there and sleepin the National Archive....

 

 

What a most elgant handwriting .... Wish I could write so....

 

What pen was used you guess.... Italic? FP were not invented in those days

[MKeith]

Fabulous post Jared. Thank you so much for sharing, Your photography is excellent. I have also researched there and in Rockville on four occasions and many long hours. I and my wife were able to actually handle the Civil War papers of our ancestors, as well as my father's records of WWII and the Korean War. It is like stepping back in time. Unfortunately this was prior to my renewed interest in pens and ink.

 

 

Thank you! I'm with you, I want that blue!

 

Amber, if you find it please let me know. This is the exact color and shade of blue that has eluded me for a long time. Kinda like... but kinda like... ad infinitum.

[Morbus Curiositas]

Deleted e-mails

[amberleadavis]

Fabulous post Jared. Thank you so much for sharing, Your photography is excellent. I have also researched there and in Rockville on four occasions and many long hours. I and my wife were able to actually handle the Civil War papers of our ancestors, as well as my father's records of WWII and the Korean War. It is like stepping back in time. Unfortunately this was prior to my renewed interest in pens and ink.

 

 

 

Amber, if you find it please let me know. This is the exact color and shade of blue that has eluded me for a long time. Kinda like... but kinda like... ad infinitum.

 

 

I may have one coming in the mail.

[Flaxmoore]

It should be possible to get the RGB value and then use it to blend the color with a CMYK ink set.

[amberleadavis]

This is one of the inks we are getting read to test.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-J-ANGUS-INK-BOTTLE-FILLED-TURQUOISE-INK-POWDER-DIP-PENS-LETTERING-DRAW-/151508877873?pt=AU_Art_Supplies&hash=item2346a20231

[SockAddict]

very nice, thanks. there's a a great exhibition going on at the archives right now, until january 15, i think focusing on historic signatures (and the letters and documents they went on), everything from washington and jefferson to hitler (a surprisingly small signature) to einstein and michael jackson. there's also an interesting frame containing about 50 ceremonial pens used by kennedy and johnson--most if not all of them esterbrook desk pens!

 

I visited that exhibit. Absolutely fascinating! I kept wanting to touch the paper -- good thing the glass was in the way. I was also fascinated by those pens. And no, they weren't all Esterbrook desk pens -- the last few were ballpoints!