In 1775, Swedish chemist Karl Scheele developed an emerald green pigment which became known as ‘Scheele’s Green’. In the nineteenth century, paint manufacturers aimed to improve on this pigment, and ‘Paris Green’ was invented. By the middle of the century, emerald green was the height of fashion, and these pigments were used in a great number of manufactured items, including wallpaper, clothing, children’s toys, ornaments, and even confectionery. The problem was that this pigment contained arsenic.

The reason that this is relevant for the DEI, and for historic libraries more generally, is that arsenic was also used in book production, to create emerald green cloth and paper. Through this book display, we explore the dark secret of this vibrant colour, and its use in our book collections.

Free and open to all. Drop in during our opening hours.