Found an old receipt in a library book and used it to match edge staining

I was rebinding a 1962 copy of a gardening manual I got at an estate sale in Des Moines for $6. The edges were so faded I couldn't tell if they were originally green or brown. Then a receipt from a hardware store in 1974 fell out, and the paper was this exact olive tone. I matched a water-based dye to it, did a test on scrap paper first, and it came out perfect. Took about 45 minutes total. Anybody else ever use random paper scraps as a color reference for staining? I usually just guess and end up with something too dark.

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nancy3023d ago

That's such a clever little trick. It makes me think of how we toss out so many bits of paper without realizing they're little time capsules. Old grocery lists, ticket stubs, even junk mail can tell you exactly what colors and fonts were popular in a certain year. I found a faded movie ticket in a coat pocket once and used it to match the trim on an old dresser from the same era. It's like the paper version of carbon dating, but for paint colors. Guess we're all just hoarding reference swatches without knowing it.