Newsgroups: soc.roots
Date:         Tue, 7 Apr 1992 17:24:28 EDT
From:         botteron@BU-IT.BU.EDU
Subject:      Re: Tombstone Rubbings
Comments: To: ROOTS-L@VM1.NoDak.EDU

Here's an article that Cliff Manis posted nearly 2 years ago.
Cliff, I hope it's OK to repost this.  I updated an address.

The interfacing method Elisabeth Streeter mentioned sounds good
since it does not put anything on the stone.  The shaving cream
mentioned in the article below sounds messy and likely to get
objections; it should be alkaline so it might not damage stone.

Here's the article:

From ROOTS-L@VM1.NoDak.EDU Wed Jul  4 18:32:53 1990
From: Cliff Manis <root%CSOFTEC.CSF.COM@VM1.NoDak.EDU>
Subject:      Tombstone Rubbing INFO

(First of all, I did not write this, but it is good info for the ROOTS-L
 readers)

                          Tombstone Rubbing Hints

 There appears to be two successful ways to read old tombstone
 inscriptions.  These are so successful that there are reports of reading
 inscriptions that have defied older methods.

 The first method is very simple: use shaving cream! First, wet the stone.
 Then cover a section of the stone with the moist cream and then scrape the
 excess cream of with a piece of styrofoam.  The cream goes into the
 inscription making it readable. The cream must be moist to work. Neither
 the styrofoam nor the cream will damage the stone.  This works very well
 when making photographs of a tombstone.  Try to photograph in the early
 morning or late afternoon when the sun's rays are at an angle.

 The second method involves making rubbings.  The following is extracted
 from a message on CompuServe's Genealogy Forum posted by Eleanor Lyon Duke
 74375,645 (thanks Eleanor):

    The Oldstone Enterprises of Boston, Mass. (address was 77 Summer
*   Street, 01110) sells a kit with directions for making rubbings of grave
    stones. Their materials may also be purchased from the Hearthstone
    Bookshop, 8405-H Richmond Highway, Alexandria, Va. 22309.

    The paper you want to use is sometimes referred to as "synthetic rice
    paper" or "print makers paper".  Anything that does not tear easily
    will probably do.  You may also use the nonwoven interfacing or pattern
    materials that are sold at dress fabric stores, such as PELLON
    (non-fusible variety).

    Oldstone sells a crayon that is about the size and shape of a
    bar of hand soap. Carpenter's crayon or Lumberman's crayon may also be
    used, or I suspect a crayon from the thick box of crayolas would do.
    You also need masking tape to hold the paper to the grave stone and an
    old-fashioned fiber scrub brush to clean the stone.  Don't use anything
    that has very stiff bristles. And something to sit on, especially if
    there are chiggers around, or a small stool if knees are stiff.

    There is a man at Winthrop College at Rock Hill, SC who is doing this
    as an art form.  He uses several colors on one rubbing and they are
    really nice. If you find the right kind of paper, no spray or
    protective materials need be used. The rubbings can be stapled to a
    couple of dowels and make nice wall hangings.

    (this textfile was within: cemrub.zip, on a Local BBS)
_
    Standard Disclaimer:  We are not associated with anyone. (PERIOD). (.)

* The 1992 Boston phone book lists the address for Oldstone Enterprises
as 186 Lincoln St., Boston, 617-542-4112. --Carol B.

Carol Botteron          botteron@bu-it.bu.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU