Zachary Taylor letter, prior to undergoing conservation treatment (used with permission of the Provincial Archives)
One side of the restored Zachary Taylor letter (image courtesy of Nancy Purinton, Purinton Preservation, Frederick, MD)
Years ago, one of the Sisters inherited an autograph letter written by Taylor in 1848 to a certain Dr. Prichard in Iberville, LA. On her death it came into the archives. The letter was in very poor shape, its paper suffering the effects of typical nineteenth-century iron gall ink. We sent it out to one of our local trusted conservation experts, Nancy Purinton of Purinton Preservation in Frederick, MD. You can see the results of her efforts in the “Before” and “After” pictures.
For more information about the letter and a transcription, see our July 28, 2014 blog post.
docarchivesblog.org 
Nice to know, but there is no way I could read the letter.
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The handwriting is indeed difficult, and was even more difficult prior to restoration because the letter was in pieces. Once it was restored and could be handled safely, we transcribed the letter and posted it in this bog. Clicking on the link at the bottom of the post will take you to the transcription.
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