[Bell Historians] Recording inscriptions

[Susan & Christopher Dalton]

> Sometimes a photograph will work, but there are the following potential pit
> falls:
>
> 1. A photo will not give you the height of each letter.
> 2. You could lose some letters round the side of the bell.
> 3. The photograph may not show up punctuation clearly. I have known some
> readings that require you to *feel* punctuation in order to identify them
> best.
>
A photograph won't show you what is going on at the "sides" of the bell when
hung.

For what it's worth, my own method these days is to have someone experienced
in reading bell inscriptions (including medieval lettering) positioned on
either side of the bell with a good torch.

Anything not easily read (e.g. because the gudgeons are in the way) it is
best to take a rubbing of.  Feel is not reliable.  I know George Massey in
Somerset routinely takes a rubbing of the whole inscription and for accuracy
there is much to commend this.  - So long as you label the rubbing correctly
and have plenty of storage space.

C D