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ANCIENT GREEK AND LATIN

 

I offer a translation service, provided by an academic through me.

This covers inscribed rings, seals, stele and the like.

 

Photographs

Working from good pics is perfectly feasible: use a directional light, not overall overhead lighting as this is usually a better way to capture flat inscriptions.  The light might need to be carefully directed at an very oblique angle to catch the inscription well.

For inscriptions in intaglio an appropriately illuminated photo of the impression in plasticene would be helpful.

 

Authenticity.

The authenticity of engraved stone or metal cannot be guaranteed merely because the inscription is internally consistent and  correct but a badly bodged inscription on a fake often gives it away.

 

Prices  

PLEASE NOTE: As from  March 2008 I have been obliged to add 17.5% VAT to these fees for people within the EU.

So, the prices shown in brackets here are inclusive of VAT for EU residents but the lower price is for the rest of the world.

 

ABREVIATED VOTIVE INSCRIPTION ON RING, SEAL OR THE LIKE

£8 (£9.40)

 

ABREVIATED INSCRIPTION ON RING, SEAL, FRAGMENTARY STELE OR ROMAN MILITARY DIPLOMA OR THE THE LIKE

Up to around 10 characters.

£17 (£19.97)

 

 

SHORT OR FRAGMENTARY INSCRIPTION ON RING, SEAL, FRAGMENTARY ROMAN DIPOMA  OR FRAGMENTARY STELE OR THE LIKE

Up to around 10 words.

£34 (£39.95)

 

 

MEDIUM TO LONG or COMPLEX INSCRIPTION: you would get a quite for the work.

 

 

If your piece is thought to be fake by virtue of an incorrect inscription there would be some commentary on this.  

 

How you can help 

 

I would very much like to place some of the images of the pieces (or just the text parts, if collectors would prefer not to have their pieces shown) on my website along with the reading work. 

This would allow us to develop a database which would help us illiterates to start learning to recognise and read  the commonly found types of inscriptions

When you get in touch with me please let me know one way or the other. Attribution to you by name, by your membership ID or anonymously: whatever you prefer. 

 

 

If you are interested in this sevice, contact me!