From: owner-scribes@castle.org (scribes digest) To: scribes-digest@castle.org Subject: scribes digest V7 #48 Reply-To: Sender: owner-scribes@castle.org Errors-To: owner-scribes@castle.org Precedence: bulk scribes digest Sunday, December 9 2001 Volume 07 : Number 048 ======================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with unsubscribe scribes-digets in the body of the message. Leave the subject line blank. Do not include any additional text. [scribes]: Roundtable Re: [scribes]: Oh, for a clean nib [scribes]: wax tablet [scribes]: Fw: Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts Re: [scribes]: Selling pigments [scribes]: Huzzah! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 07 Dec 2001 19:06:17 -0500 From: Randy Asplund Subject: [scribes]: Roundtable Hi everybody, This is more for people in the midwest, but I am planning a Scribes' Roundtable Discussion at the upcoming 12th Night event in the Barony of Cynnabar (South Eastern Michigan). So if you are in the region and want to attend, I would like to see you there. Spread the word. We will just sit back and talk about whatever we find important. That can be materials & techniques, or just about the art, or whatever. I plan to bring my new scribe desk and writing slope reproduction to show off. I'll also bring a bunch of tools, colors, and even some color sample panels. RanthulfR - -- VISIT RandyAsplund.com To see a Universe of art ranging from Magic: The Gathering to Star Trek and Medieval Manuscripts Randy Asplund (734) 663-0954 Science Fiction and Fantasy Illustration 2101 S. Circle Dr., Ann Arbor, MI. 48103 =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 14:52:36 -0700 From: "Eva Mehlhose" Subject: Re: [scribes]: Oh, for a clean nib Heheheeeee' impatient me, I use an exacto knife blade to scrape the rough stuff off, then water and old toothbrush to get the rest off. Alex the scribe Atenveldt > How on earth do I clean the blasted things =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 00:36:40 EST From: HRAFNASDOT@aol.com Subject: [scribes]: wax tablet I finally made a wax tablet from reading your website and others. I love it, but am having problems with the wax. I used what was supposedly good beeswax, with a little color. It turned hard as a rock. I have been told beeswax will turn hard if you boil out the water (I didn't know it had that high a content). I was advised by a bee keepper to scrape out, heat up again and add some water or lecithin to turn it softer. If it had too much parafin in it, add some vaseline. Does this sound right? Will it be a harder surface if it is deeper than you allowed? When I write on it now, it flakes. Will a smoother/softer surface take care of this? Any input on this is welcome, as I've not been able to see one in person. Thanks for all the wonderfull websites - they really help. Asa Hrafnasdottir Loch Ruadh =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 01:04:30 -0600 From: "Chiara" Subject: [scribes]: Fw: Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts Man, if I were a rich........you know the song. :) Sincerely, Franchesca Havas McKinney, Texas ¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christies Information" To: Sent: Friday, December 07, 2001 4:23 PM Subject: Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts > Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts > > > Sale 9880, Lot 32 > Gregory IX (ca. 1148-1241) > Decretales cum glossa Bernardi Parmensis, Mainz, 1473 > Printed on paper and vellum, > second edition > Estimate: $100,000-150,000 > > copyright ©2001 Christie's Inc. > Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy > > Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts > Sale 9880 > 14 December 2001, 10:00 am & 2:00 pm > 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York > > Online preview >http://email.christies.com/cgi-bin1/flo?y=hKRn0DdC2u0CeN0DLd40Ac > > The exciting find of a rare book collection made by Christie's specialists in a small town in Southern Missouri offers medieval manuscripts dating from the 12th to the 19th centuries; fine incunabula; post-incunable Bibles; American Literature; and Presidential autographs. > > Donated by Estelle Doheny to the Mission Church of St. Mary's of the Barrens, the collection is being sold on behalf of the Congregation of the Mission, Midwest Province, to benefit their mission in Kenya. > > In October 1987 Christie's held the first sale of Estelle Doheny's library for an astounding $38 million, still the world auction record today for any library. > > Don't miss Christie's sale of Antique Glass Paperweights and Decorative Arts from the Estelle Doheny Collection on 17 December. > > Sale Contact: > Francis Wahlgren > Department Head, Books & Manuscripts > Christie's New York > Tel: +1 212 636 2665 > > > > > > > Let LotFinder Assistant search Christie's catalogues and notify you by email of new results. > > > > =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 09:46:20 -0700 From: "Mary Edenfield" Subject: Re: [scribes]: Selling pigments To Randy and the list; I have been following this discussion because I am one of those merchants selling pigments and have found it to be of great interest. I just haven't had a chance to sit down and make replys until now. > I've seen colors being sold in loose and dusty glassine envelopes, test > tubes with rubber stoppers, and even baby food jars. I am wondering what > packaging people have been buying color in, and what if any toxicity > warnings, instructions for use, and pigment incompatibility warnings > they may be getting from the seller. I sell most of my pigments in plastic bags, with the idea the purchaser will transfer them to small jars when they get home. There are several reasons here; the extra wieght and expense of glass is avoided, making it less costly when they are shipped. I do sell empty jars, if they are wanted, but most folks have small jars around the house that they can use. I label all toxic pigments as such, with big skull and crossbones. If there is additional labeling on the item when it comes in, I copy that too. As far as incompatibility I am still working on that. there is a great deal of conflicting views here. > > Are those of you buying color this way getting a fair amount for the > price compared to if you bought a whole jar? One of the reasons I began selling pigments was because most commercial sources {ie Sinopia, Kremer} did not sell in small quantities. You would have to spend a lot of money to get a nice selection of colors because you had to buy usually 100 grams of each {though some more expensive colors are sold in smaller lots}. However, I will sell the larger sizes atthe same price as you can get them from the other suppliers, but haven't had anyone asking for them. When you buy the colors do > you know which ones are medieval and which are modern? I try to stock only those colors I know would be medieval, except those I order as substitutes. For example, a synthetic red to replace vermillion or the synthetic ultramarine to replace lapis, and titanium white to replace lead white. I don't carry any Cadmium, cobalt, chrome or viridian Are the packages > that you buy colors in labeled with toxicity warnings as per federal > regulations? I do try to keep up with all the proper labelings and warnings. Randy is there a website or something with these listed so I can be sure? Were you automatically provided with any printed > instructions that explain the safe use of the pigment powder? I usully have a small, free, price list that also includes the warnings and how to mix the paint. This is also on my website. > > 1) Many people buy colors thinking that it is the fact that it is powder > that makes it medieval, and this is not true. Mixing color with egg > white, yolk, oil, or gum arabic is the medieval process, but the pigment > type is another thing. I try to point this out to folks, at least in my classes or if asked. > > 2) Most pigment sellers sell totally modern pigments and a few medieval > pigments, but do not distinguish between them unless you ask. the modern pigments I sell are there for those that don't want toxic medieval ones and are labeled as sythetic subsitutes. > > 3) Some colors being sold as medieval pigments are inappropriate for > illumination, or are inappropriate for painting on a wall in fresco, but > this is not explained at the table they are sold from. Since most of my customers are not interested in fresco, I don't stock the colors listed by me supplier as fresco only. I have used all the colors I sell in gum and most in egg tempera and have not had any problems with them changing colors, et. but I am still learning about this sort of thing. > >> 5) I have seen pigments sold in packaging that causes the powder to be > spread around the work area when it is opened because it doesn't contain > well or because the method of opening may "puff" it into the air. I have > always felt that screw cap jars, such as the 1/2 oz glass ones available > at grocery stores, are the safe way to contain the colors. I explained why I sell them in plastic bags. These are fairly easy to transfer pigment to jars from, by cutting off one corner of the bag and pouring in. I tell people to always wear their dust mask and gloves for this step, since even non-toxic pigment is not good for you lungs. > Also, suppliers sell their large quantities in plastic bags, so this is not just me. I am, however you brought this up. We certainly don't want to lose any scribes to lead poisoning! Maistreas Mairi Broder Atenveldt Mary Edenfield Canyon Keep Ent. www.canyonkeep.net ladymari@cybertrails.com =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 20:54:26 -0500 From: "Holly" Subject: [scribes]: Huzzah! I hear that our very own Merouda Pendray (mka Elyse Boucher) has been put on vigil to be elevated to the Order of the Laurel for C&I, at Tre-Girt-Sea's upcoming 12th Night event. Yay Merouda!!! :-) :-)---Holly---<--<-@ _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ End of scribes digest V7 #48 ****************************