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Author
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Topic: Fading: pencil vs. pen astronaut autographs
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Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 09-03-2010 08:09 AM
   
I see in some auction catalogues that there are some items signed by astronauts in pencil. Would this not fade as quickly as pen if subjected to light? I'm thinking that pencil would last longer but I'm no expert. |
Guillaume
Member Posts: 51
From: Alsace / France
Registered: Apr 2010
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posted 09-03-2010 08:39 AM
This is only anecdotal evidence but I own a document with pencil writings from the late 1910' or early 1920' that has been left unshielded for decades. As you can see in this picture, even though the paper is in pretty rough shape, the writings are still very strong. |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 09-03-2010 09:47 AM
I agree with Guillaume. The following example has been subjected to some light but not a great deal. I have a gradeschool textbook used by my grandfather when he was a teenager. One part of it has a pencil drawing made c. 1910 of a man beaten up badly with an accompanying notation: "Jim Jeffries after Jack Johnson got through with him". Haha. It looks like it was drawn and written yesterday. Regarding graphite pencil examples exposed to light for long periods (for example, pencil signatures on displayed limited edition signed lithographs), I am not personally aware of them fading noticeably due to light exposure. |
SpaceSteve
Member Posts: 428
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 09-03-2010 02:58 PM
Pencil writing should not fade at all. In fact, this is one reason why fine-art lithographs are always signed in pencil. Take a look at any Leroy Nieman print, or I'm sure the signed Alan Bean prints, and you'll see that they are signed in pencil. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-03-2010 03:27 PM
The journals written in pencil by Captain Robert Falcon Scott in Antarctica in 1912 are still clearly legible. In 2000 the final journal, open at the last entry, was on display at the National Maritime Museum in London. Even through the glass of the display case, the words were clearly legible: We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far.It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more. R. Scott.
Last entry.
For God's sake look after our people. Pencil definitely stands the test of time, even in the harshest conditions. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 09-03-2010 03:59 PM
I also agree that pencil has very little chance of fading over time. The paper would likely deteriorate faster than the pencil markings will.However, one concern with pencil is the possibility of smearing the lead/graphite if anything brushes across the surface of the paper. Still, that can be controlled if the item is properly cared for. |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 09-03-2010 07:04 PM
Pencil is best, but it is important to mat the print when framing it so that the pencil does not rub against the glass.My personal project for Spacefest 2 in San Diego in 2009 was to get my copy of the print "First Step" by Paul Calle signed by the six Moonwalkers, one from each landing mission, who were present. After some research, for this purpose I bought Faber-Castell #2 art pencils. The autographs should not fade, as might Sharpie signatures over time. After I completed my mission, I had the print professionally matted and framed using acid-free materials and UV resistant glass. The result should last for many decades. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-04-2010 03:47 PM
I agree - pencil is best, then ballpoint, then sharpie and more liquid inks. I bought a badly mouldy Calle Armstrong print that I professionally "cleaned". It came up like mint including the pencil signature. On flown items in particular I make a habit of using ballpoint as it is more "subtle" and will last better like two of my '62-63 Gagarins that have perfectly preserved ballpoint signatures. For what it's worth, blue sharpie is my pet hate! |
Russ Still
Member Posts: 535
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-05-2010 05:17 PM
Be careful with ballpoint. Their ability to withstand light varies wildly. Many are highly susceptible to fading. I've had such bad luck with ballpoint signed items I pretty much stay away from them. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 09-05-2010 06:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Russ Still:
Be careful with ballpoint.
Ditto that! Ballpoint is POISON no matter WHAT paper you put it on! Use "real ink," but most people aren't used to writing with it, so they would have a tough time signing with such a pen. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 09-05-2010 06:51 PM
What do you mean by 'real ink'? Like a fountain pen? |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-06-2010 04:22 PM
Maybe Russian ballpoint is more durable than US? Just goes to show how personal the choice is: I've seen so many smudged/faded "real ink" M7 pieces I've lost count! Of course, the acidity, absorbency, relectivity etc of the paper will no doubt contribute. |
ChrisCalle
Member Posts: 135
From: Ridgefield, CT USA
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 09-14-2010 04:15 PM
Many of my fathers early sketches for NASA during Project Mercury were done in India Ink and have not faded. Some sketches done in ballpoint blue pen have faded a bit while other ballpoint pen drawings are fine.He used two different types of "fountain pens" while he was sketching the Suiting Up of the Apollo 11 crew and some have faded considerably while others look like they were drawn yesterday. Here is a pristine sketch and one that has faded, turning from black to brownish in color. A few Apollo 11 Suiting Up sketches loaned by NASA to the Seattle Museum of Flight last year showed considerable fading especially one of Mike Collins. I guess it depends on the ink. |
sobof62
Member Posts: 94
From: Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 10-05-2015 05:23 PM
Can anyone suggest what grade of pencil, available to buy in the United Kingdom, to use when obtaining an autograph? The item being singed is an Al Bean Print. Thank you. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 11-19-2015 09:16 PM
Yes, and I see that first question was really old. "Real ink" to me is like a Shaeffer cartridge ink pen, a step above a pen and quill. A few years ago, I discovered that they made the ink cartridges in many different colors, but I think black or blue is still best for "acceptable" colors.I love red, it is "my" color and a dear friend told me I was crazy to write checks in red ink because red ink meant deficits! Once in a great while, a bank will give me grief about using anything but blue or black and some federal government forms insist only blue or black be used. The bank really went crazy when my late brother changed his legal signature to lower case letters, ala e.e. cummings, they just said plainly "there ain't no way, pal," but he did it anyway! |
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