This section is from the book "The English And American Mechanic", by B. Frank Van Cleve. Also available from Amazon: The English And American Mechanic.
Alcohol in a flask, ½ pt.; add gum shellac, 1 0z.; turmeric, ½ oz.; red sanders, ¼ oz. Bet the flask in a warm place, shake frequently for 19 hours or more, then strain off the liquor, rinse the bottle, and return it, corking tightly for use.
When this varnish is used, it must be applied to the work freely and flowing; and the article must be hot when applied. One or more coats may be laid on, as the color is required more or less light or deep. If any of it should become thick from evaporation, at anytime, thin it with alcohol. And by the following modifications, all the various colors are obtained.
Proceed as above, substituting ¼ oz. of finely ground best lake in place of the turmeric.
The blue is made by substituting pulverized Prussian blue, ½ oz., in place of the turmeric.
Add a little of the blue to the first.
Add a little of the rose-color to the first.
 
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