Iron Gall Ink

Iron gall ink (also known as iron gall nut ink or oak gall ink) is a purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acids from vegetable sources. It was the standard writing and drawing ink in Europe, from about the 12th century to the 19th century, and remained in use well into the 20th century.

Read more about Iron Gall Ink:  Preparation and Use, Chemistry, Demise, Fountain Pens

Famous quotes containing the words iron, gall and/or ink:

    Reading while waiting
    for the iron to heat,
    writing, My Life had stood—a Loaded Gun—
    Adrienne Rich (b. 1929)

    No might nor greatness in mortality
    Can censure scape; back-wounding calumny
    The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong
    Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    Language has not the power to speak what love indites:
    The Soul lies buried in the ink that writes.
    John Clare (1793–1864)