Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-07-08
THE PEWTER
DISEASE
Phenomena Which Resemble
Diseases of Live Matter.

recent report from BeTuH W lho
effect that a single pewter vessel
he Bumper of Breslau,' brought
over $4,000 at the sale Of the famous
Lama collection very strikingly DEM
onstrates the favor which antique
and highly ornate objects OF this ma
terial have regained with collectors
and connOisseurs.
The collecting of old pewter Is,
however, attended with a certain risk,
COR it is a strange although little
known fact that this metal is sub
Icct to an affection or disease which
in German is very appropriately dos-
lGnatcd zinnpcst Uin plague).
II is a well known fact that some
metals are subject to phenomena
which, resembling in their effects the
diseases that attack living organisms
cause them to decompOse or decay.
Especially is this the case with Jew
ter. whether as a result of chemical
changes consequent on its compost
ton or not is not known. We do
know. however. that If exposed to a
low temperature it is liable to I'M
dergo a transformation under the In
t;uence of which 1t Is ultimately re-
duced to powder. AS long as the
temperature does not go below CS de
grces Fahrenheit there is no danger
Even at 65 degrees Fahrenheit the
effects are barely noticeable, but to
temperatures lower than this the
metal is decidedly susceptible. This
is the reason why so small a mum
the period when tin or pewter was
extensively used. Exposed to the
vicissitudes of changing temperature
they have gone to pieces. Even @
cold museum will work their destruc-
ton.
Collectors of old pewter who will
carefully look over their specimens
are likely to note the appearance Oh
dull, grayish looking spots, almost
non-metallic, and of crumbling dust
character. This is the first symptom
and means that the process OF dis
Indignation has commenced and &C
counts for the more or less dilapi
dated condition that occurs in choice
specimens of work In this metal
such as pewter medals, etc. To the
same destructive influence the speedy
corrosion of tin roofs may be ascrib
ed. Where choice specimens OF pew
ter work, such for instance as the
highly priced antique pieces by Brio'
or Enderlein, dating from the Renais
sance period and superbly decorated
in relief, are concerned, this would
be a dire misfortune. and the affec
ton should be promptly dealt with
as soon as its occurrence is noted
The most efficacious treatment
though useful only in the earliest
stage, is found to be boiling for {
prolonged period in pure water t.
which a little soda has been added
and subsequent rubbing In whiting
Moreover, as the disease appears t.
be contagious in character, the care
full examination of all specimens
from time to time and removal o
any that show signs of infection is
wise precaution for owners to take
Tin is a peculiar metal, and it Il
not surprising that its alloys shout
do strange things. 1t is so extremel.
ductile that it can be rolled, pressed
Or beaten into thin sheets, as witness
its use in the shape of tinfoil or TIL
manufacture OF the tubes In whicl
paint, cosmetics. ETC., are put up
which are pressed at a single strok
of a powerful press from q button
like blank. The metal flows into tn
narrow spaces and interstices of tn
mould almost as though fluid, whicl
is all the more remarkable when 1t
decidedly crystalline character Is cor
sidered. When piece Of metallic III
is bent the crystals strike against on
another with q peculiar ard charaC
teristic cracking sound. Tin itsel
is inodorous, but II 1t or its alloy
be freely handled It imports pecu
liar odor to the hand. Ono OF III
most valuable characteristics Of Iii
is its resistance to the effects G
oxidation. II can be exposed TO III
air for long time withou. showln
any of the effects Of oxidation. where
as its alloys-bronze. for instance
soon accumulate a patina by ABSORB
ton of oxygen. A remarkable fei
ture Of the process OF decompositio
in pewter is that the product is no
an oxide or any other combination
Of tin with other elements, but pur
metallic tin, only In place Of bein
crystalline It Is amor2hous.-IlaI
per's Weekly.