Metallic memorandum books—history, materials and conservation

Abstract

Metallic memorandum books were a common stationery item in the nineteenth century—small notebooks of varying dimensions, sold with a special ‘metallic’ pencil. However, few extant examples survive in collections. Very little published information exists regarding their manufacture, distribution and use. Research sought to discover their likely prevalence in Australian collections, materials used in their manufacture, and the conservation implications of their construction. Data analysis of Australian newspapers held on the Trove website found evidence of their use between 1831 and 1915, primarily between 1850–1870, across Australia. Contemporary accounts suggest they were an everyday item used by workmen, artists and explorers, amongst others. This research technique shows potential for further art materials research. XRF analysis of a sample notebook found low or trace amounts of lead and tin within the metallic pencil and low or trace amounts of barium and strontium in the paper. FTIR analysis of the paper returned a spectrum that matched to barium sulphate. This corresponds to historical accounts and makes them materially similar to metalpoint drawings. They are therefore likely to experience similar condition issues, such as marking, staining and flaking of the prepared surface, and may not respond well to aqueous conservation treatments.

Keywords:

• Art materials
• Data harvesting
• Metallic memorandum book
• Metalpoint
• Velvet paper
• Lead

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Rosemary Goodall, Materials Scientist at Museums Victoria, for her analysis, and to Ruth Pullin for sparking this research interest through her study of Eugene von Guérard’s notebooks. Thanks also to the peer reviewers for this paper, whose considered and thoughtful comments improved on the original submission.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alice Cannon

Alice Cannon is the Manager of History & Technology Collections at Museums Victoria. She trained as a paper conservator in the early 1990s and has worked in a number of organisations as a paper, photographic materials and/or preventive conservator, including the Morgan Library (New York), Artlab Australia (Adelaide), and State Library Victoria (Melbourne). In 2009 she completed a Master of Arts by Research investigating late 19th century and early 20th century adhesives for paper substrates.