The book starts with a general outline of printing in the second half of the 19th century. Ink production, additives and paper used by the De La Rue company is then considered. Its colour trials, stability experiments, and fluorescence or ‘bleeding’ of their aniline inks are then examined. The second half of the book details the recipes, ingredients, varnishes or oils, quantities made and contemporary comments about nearly 2500 inks. Finally, a gazetteer, an index of the ingredients and a comprehensive general index are provided.

This in-depth study explains the company’s approach from an historical, scientific, economic and manufacturing point of view, and uncovers its ‘secret’ ingredients – especially its Fugitive inks. This notable reference work will appeal to philatelists interested in particular colour shades, collectors of ephemera, printers and social historians. Inks has been the least studied aspect of printing history and so makes this new book a notable work of reference.