Parchment Document, c. 1649

Front of parchment document with writing, held down at each corner with weights, scale in bottom right corner.

Identification

  • Object Type: Parchment Document
  • Date: 1649
  • Origin: England
  • Owner: Louth Museum
  • Maker: Writer unknown
  • Measurements: 
    • Length: 47.2 cm
    • Width: 62 cm
    • Thickness: 0.05 cm
  • Materials: Parchment, iron gall ink

Summary

This document was likely manufactured in England, 1649, as that is the date at the bottom. Parchment is made from animal hide, and the ink is likely iron gall ink. The owner referenced in the document is ‘Peter Salmon’, a physician in London according to online records. The owners of the document currently (Louth Museum) have stated that there is a ‘Salmon’ family in Louth from the 1800s who were furniture makers, but they do not know if it is the same family. Other handwritings are present- possibly from different points in time. There is a missing area of parchment along the bottom edge, where seals are usually found. The wavy/uneven edge along the top is likely intentional, as agreements/legal documents from this time were often in two parts, leaving an uneven edge to match up with its counterpart. 

Behind the Scenes

Front of parchment document with writing, held down at each corner with weights, scale in bottom right corner.
Parchment Document (front) before treatment.
Back of yellowed parchment document with some writing held down at each corner with weights, scale in bottom right corner.
Parchment Document (back) before treatment.
Close up of flourish/sigil on back of parchment document, written in dark brown ink.
Close-up of sigil/flourish back of parchment before treatment.
Close up image of writing on parchment document, the dark brown ink is flaking away from the surface.
Example of flaking ink.
Close up image of writing on parchment document, the dark brown ink has faded to a lighter brown colour.
Example of discoloured ink.
Close up image of writing on parchment document, the ink appears speckled and a light brown colour.
Example of fading ink.

The conservator who treated this object is Holly, click the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise.

Holly, a white person in their early twenties with shoulder length red hair. She is looking to her right with a slight smile and wearing a grey button up with golden paisley designs. The photo is in black and white.

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Click on the image to learn more.

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