Beta-radiography and watermarks

On March 14, Karen Potje posted a query about methods for
documenting watermarks.

At the March 1991 paper history meeting at the University of Iowa,
there was a discussion on good methods of recording watermarks.
Cathy Baker recommended the Gruentz (sp?) method, also called "soft
x-rays."  They can do it at the Art Conservation Department, State
University College at Buffalo (716/878-5025).  At that time, it was
the only place in the country that could do it.

In Switzerland, it was reported recently that EDP was being used to
record watermarks.  And the German National Library in Leipzig is
working on a second edition of the standard for recording of
watermark papers.  I only have one number for them in Leipzig.  It's
the fax number for Gabrielle Freudenburg, who may not know about the
watermarks but who may be able to direct you to someone there who
does: 011-49-3-41-2271-444.   The fountainhead for information of
watermarks is the International Association of Paper Historians,
based in Germany.

The Dylux method of recording watermarks was described by Tom
Gravell in Restaurator, 1978, p. 95ff.  Unfortunately, this method
also picks up anything written or printed on the paper.

Ellen McCrady
7105 Geneva Dr.
Austin  TX 78723

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:65
                  Distributed: Monday, March 18, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-65-002
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