THE COMPARATIVE STABILITY OF COLORS IN 
WALLPAPER 
J. M. LINDLY 
The salesman of wallpaper is frequently asked if such a 
sample will fade, or is confronted with the bold assertion that 
such a specimen will do so. Usually, he is unable to answer the 
question definitely, or to deny the charge. Not having noticed 
any observation on the subject of the stability of colors in 
wallpaper, the writer was prompted to make a few tests or ex- 
periments. 
Forty-six samples of wall paper, no two alike, representing 
as many colors, shades and tints, were exposed to the bright sun- 
light during the middle of the day for two days, making a total 
exposure of eight hours. This was done in the early part of 
August. 
The results are classified into eleven groups, averaging about 
four samples to each group. 
According to the average resistance of the samples of each 
group to the influence of the sunlight, the groups have been 
arranged in the following order of permanency : 
1. The whites were unchanged. 
2. The drabs were unchanged. 
3. Buffs. Half the samples were unchanged ; the others, being 
the darker, were slightly lightened. 
4. Dark Blues. The darkest specimen was unchanged ; the 
others were slightly changed but not sufficiently to attract at- 
tention. 
5. Yellows. One, a high priced sample, showed no change; 
three showed slight change; the fifth, an ingrain, was much 
faded. 
6. Dark greens. The two darker were slightly dulled. One 
of the lighter was apparently unchanged, while the fourth was 
much faded. 
7. Dark browns. Half of these samples exhibited very little 
change, while the remainder betrayed a noticeable alteration. 
8. Light browns. Two showed marked change; the third only 
slight. 
