
Ink a dink a dink
Moderator: jingle_jangle
-
shamustwin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5287
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2003 5:00 am
Ink a dink a dink
Mr. Curmudgeon sir, I have an inquiry of a different kind, tho one you might be able to assist. I obtained this autograph in 1983 on the back of a grocery receipt. The pen used I believe had a water based ink, sort of a felt tipped writing pen. The signature has faded terribly, though it seems to have stabilized. Anything I can do (shellac-not)to assure it will not fade from existence? Now, It's kept in an un-lit drawer, but did spend many a year in sun-drenched living rooms. It's lighter and bluer than this scan. thanks 

- jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
Wow. This is a matter for an historic paper preservation expert.
I would call one of the auction houses--Butterfield's has always been good to me--and get one of their consultants on the line.
Two enemies--oxygen and UV from sunlight. The paper will also have an acid tendency that should be neutralized. But how to go about this I haven't the faintest.
Of course, you could always embed it in a chunk of Perspex and make a paperweight out of it...
I would call one of the auction houses--Butterfield's has always been good to me--and get one of their consultants on the line.
Two enemies--oxygen and UV from sunlight. The paper will also have an acid tendency that should be neutralized. But how to go about this I haven't the faintest.
Of course, you could always embed it in a chunk of Perspex and make a paperweight out of it...
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
-
shamustwin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5287
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2003 5:00 am
I'm sure I've told this here. My then wife and I were walking in the Beverly Centre (their posh spelling) when I glance at the floor above me and saw a familiar looking man, walking slowly with a bit of a smile on his face. Then it hit, and i said to my wife "That's f-ing George Harrison!". She knew it was serious, cause I used the F word. I grabbed her hand and ran to the nearest escalator, hoping I'd not lost his trail. Into the end store, frantically looking in every direction, we spotted him shopping. "Oh, you've caught me in me underwear" said he, very Beatley. He was holding up a pair of the briefs he was pondering to purchase. Casual chat and permission for an autograph ensued. Very nice guy, not bothered in the least. One thing though, while talking with me, he rarely took his eyes and smile off my spouse, a blonde, blue eyed, thick German accented Astrid type. I didn't mind. I'm proud I didn't ask him about him getting together with the other two, in my mind a faux pas akin to inquiring about the possibility of a 4001V68 or 4005 reissue. Afterward, I had a big glass of wine to steady my nerves. But I was cool when face to face with George Harrison!
Great story, Jerry! Somehow I'm not surprised that he was cool enough to give you that autograph...
I used to work in a fine art store...my first suggestion would be to visit one in your area and procure an archival quality vinyl sleeve to put it in. Even contact with other papers containing acid will cause further deterioration. If you wanted to mount it so as to be able to display it, acid-free archival mat boards are available, as well as UV-resistant glass or plexiglas. Of course, the only way to keep it in perpetuity would be locked up in the dark, but where's the fun in that?
Excellent score, Shamustwin...
I used to work in a fine art store...my first suggestion would be to visit one in your area and procure an archival quality vinyl sleeve to put it in. Even contact with other papers containing acid will cause further deterioration. If you wanted to mount it so as to be able to display it, acid-free archival mat boards are available, as well as UV-resistant glass or plexiglas. Of course, the only way to keep it in perpetuity would be locked up in the dark, but where's the fun in that?
Excellent score, Shamustwin...
I didn't get where I am today by being on time...
- jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
I was just telling my secretary about the Beverly Center, this morning...
It was built on the site of a kiddy playground that had pony rides. They were still there when I moved there in '79.
That was the old Beverly Hills...
It was built on the site of a kiddy playground that had pony rides. They were still there when I moved there in '79.
That was the old Beverly Hills...
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
"procure an archival quality vinyl sleeve to put it in"
Sorry Dane, vinyl is a major no no! Archival polypropylene is what you want. Check out:
www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping
among other resources for preservation supplies. They might even be able to give you advise on what to do about this issue.
Sorry Dane, vinyl is a major no no! Archival polypropylene is what you want. Check out:
www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping
among other resources for preservation supplies. They might even be able to give you advise on what to do about this issue.
- jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
I thought archival polyethylene was the way to go, it being as close to chemically inert as possible.
Vinyl is loaded with nasty plasticizers that work to keep it flexible by continually leaching into the atmosphere.
The good Dr. Clauson might fill us in on the exact mechanism.
Free radicals, Gary?
Vinyl is loaded with nasty plasticizers that work to keep it flexible by continually leaching into the atmosphere.
The good Dr. Clauson might fill us in on the exact mechanism.
Free radicals, Gary?
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
-
shamustwin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5287
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2003 5:00 am
Thanks gents, I don't like the responsibility of being a collector. But I don't want this to disappear. Good advice, I'll explore these avenues presented.
Steve - I'll pull it out tonight and scan the other side. As I recall, 1dz eggs were 1.89, 1 gal. milk was 1.99. Not too different from today, and taking in the cost of living, probably more affordable today.
However, in '83 my wife and I bought a house here in So. Cal for $80 thou. This week that same house (I no longer own it) is on the market for $680 thou. Milk and eggs are bad investments, IMO
RIP, GH
Steve - I'll pull it out tonight and scan the other side. As I recall, 1dz eggs were 1.89, 1 gal. milk was 1.99. Not too different from today, and taking in the cost of living, probably more affordable today.
However, in '83 my wife and I bought a house here in So. Cal for $80 thou. This week that same house (I no longer own it) is on the market for $680 thou. Milk and eggs are bad investments, IMO
RIP, GH

- firstbassman
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 1573
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:00 am
I’m sorry, I have no advice whatsoever on how to preserve the autograph.
But, if interested, I can tell of my own “Beatle encounter.”
I attended one of New York’s “special” high schools. There were some for “brainy” kids (Bronx Science, Stuyvesant, etc.) and some for “artsy” kids (Art and Design, Performing Arts, etc.). I went to Art & Design. Famous alums include: Tony Bennett and Calvin Klein.
Anyway . . .
Let’s just say I was not the must conscientious of students and occasionally my friends and I would cut school and wander around Manhattan. One chilly day we were relaxing in one of the small structures in the Children’s Zoo in Central Park. A familiar bearded face peered his head into the window. My friend saw me staring, turned around and screamed “it’s him!” It was Paul McCartney, wife and children. (This was around the time of his first solo album.)
Despite our pleadings that we wouldn’t bother him and that he should stay, he refused to and scuttled off very quickly with family in tow.
Oh well, such was my first brief touch with musical greatness.
But, if interested, I can tell of my own “Beatle encounter.”
I attended one of New York’s “special” high schools. There were some for “brainy” kids (Bronx Science, Stuyvesant, etc.) and some for “artsy” kids (Art and Design, Performing Arts, etc.). I went to Art & Design. Famous alums include: Tony Bennett and Calvin Klein.
Anyway . . .
Let’s just say I was not the must conscientious of students and occasionally my friends and I would cut school and wander around Manhattan. One chilly day we were relaxing in one of the small structures in the Children’s Zoo in Central Park. A familiar bearded face peered his head into the window. My friend saw me staring, turned around and screamed “it’s him!” It was Paul McCartney, wife and children. (This was around the time of his first solo album.)
Despite our pleadings that we wouldn’t bother him and that he should stay, he refused to and scuttled off very quickly with family in tow.
Oh well, such was my first brief touch with musical greatness.
-
shamustwin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5287
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2003 5:00 am


And hey, the Enquirer was only 65 cents!