Andy Wade wrote:
Aidan Karley wrote:

[...] So, whatever is in your modern mortar dye probably isn't "lamp
black", which is pretty much the definitive "black man looking for a
black cat in a coal cellar at midnight" version of "black". You might
be able to still get lamp black if you specify it.

The modern equivalent "carbon black" is still extensively used as a
filler and pigment in plastics and rubbers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_black


All manner of pigments are available from art suppliers if you want to
get nerdy about it, but oxides are the most intense, and are widely
available from BMs.