Hello, all, For those who go through cemeteries photographing tombstones, the message below is pertinent. Since, this message was posted, I read a message from another person who tried the water bottle method of squirting the lettering to help bring out the lettering. She said it worked fine. Faith In a message dated 99-05-24 17:51:34 EDT, adhardie@sprynet.com writes: << I got this site off the NYBrooklyn Mail list, it is a place that explains > how to do tombstone rubbing. If you use the 'shaving cream' method, don't > use Menthol type creams. It will take the paint off a car, what will it do > to a tombstone? >> Hello kind folks of NYFingerLakes-L, I appreciate the admonishment to not use menthol shaving cream to enhance the faded lettering of old gravestones, but feel compelled to add a further warning. Shaving cream, of any kind, should NOT be used on old gravestones. The substance contains an acid that reacts to marble, sandstone and limestone and actually does more damage to the stone in the long run. Also, any organic material such as baby powder or cornstarch promotes the growth of lichen, etc. inside the inscription. So many times I have seen leftover shaving cream adhering to old stones because it was thought the rain would rinse it away. It does not, and when left can cause staining on the stone surface. A better method to read old inscriptions is to simply wet the stone. It sounds too easy, but it's amazing how well it works. Also, photographing the stone with a digital camera and manipulating the negative image makes the lettering stand out like magic. Sometimes using a mirror to reflect the light to create a shadow on the lettering makes illegible lettering stand out. It takes patience, but the stone is completely unharmed. Many stones have remained intact for you to enjoy, please do your part to protect them for many more generations to come. Katie Karrick Editor & Publisher Tomb With A View (A Monumental Experience) http://members.aol.com/TombView/twav.html tombview@aol.com