Material observations in social media… This is an amazing letter in its own right: the cautious optimism and the tragic conclusion at Wounded Knee. You know what I love about this letter from a materials point of view? It looks like he started the letter in pen and then smudged the ink and continued in pencil. Although the ink shows no signs of deterioration, it might very well be iron gall ink, which was common in the 19th century. Iron gall ink sometimes causes severe deterioration to the paper immediately beneath the ink. For preservation purposes, pencil was a much better choice. todaysdocument: Letter Relating to Peace Prospects at Wounded Knee, ca. 12/1890 This letter from William “Buffalo Bill” Cody contains a note of guarded optimism amid the increasing tensions between U.S. Cavalry and groups of Lakota Sioux camped near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota.  Cody’s hopes for peace were dashed when the situation ultimately culminated in a massacre of over 150 Lakota men, women and children on December 29, 1890.
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Material observations in social media…

This is an amazing letter in its own right: the cautious optimism and the tragic conclusion at Wounded Knee.

You know what I love about this letter from a materials point of view? It looks like he started the letter in pen and then smudged the ink and continued in pencil. Although the ink shows no signs of deterioration, it might very well be iron gall ink, which was common in the 19th century. Iron gall ink sometimes causes severe deterioration to the paper immediately beneath the ink. For preservation purposes, pencil was a much better choice.

todaysdocument:

Letter Relating to Peace Prospects at Wounded Knee, ca. 12/1890

This letter from William “Buffalo Bill” Cody contains a note of guarded optimism amid the increasing tensions between U.S. Cavalry and groups of Lakota Sioux camped near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota.  Cody’s hopes for peace were dashed when the situation ultimately culminated in a massacre of over 150 Lakota men, women and children on December 29, 1890.

Source: research.archives.gov