Endurance of Scrolls
Posted Sunday, 11/20/22
The meticulous research involved with In the Shadow of the King often takes more time than the actual writing thereof. I was trying to find out how long scroll paper (for handwritten letters) could realistically endure through the centuries and discovered reference to it at the Library of Congress.
Generally speaking, good quality paper stored in good conditions (cooler temperatures; 30-40% relative humidity) are able to last a long time - even hundreds of years."
*The Deterioration and Preservation of Paper: Some Essential Facts.
A fictional character named Sheila Bryan in present time finds letters written by Sir Francis Bryan to his lover Alice Drury (also a fictional character) at his former house on The Strand in London, so I wanted to make sure such a thing was possible. Note: The name "Sheila" is a nod to my lookalike cousin, Sheila O'Toole.
And so the research and writing continues.
