iron gall ink

Ingredients

galls, rain water, vitriol, vinegar soaked gum

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The process involves soaking galls in rain water for six days, followed by boiling the mixture. Vitriol is then added. The final step is to drizzle in gum that has been soaked in vinegar (p. 27).

Evidence

"A sixteenth-century French and Italian recipe calls for one to soak the galls in rain water for six days, boil the mixture, add vitriol, and finally drizzle in vinegar soaked gum (Bat-Yehouda 297)."

Remarks

The use of vinegar soaked gum introduces an acidifier intended to improve permanence and prevent fading (p. 20, 27).