INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PAPER HISTORIANS


Questions & Answers

Archive #2 [2000-2004]


10 February 2008



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Questions

Answers and Reactions

I would appreciate if you could please give me a good definition of «laid lines» and «chain lines». Thank you in advance.

Mariana Libano

(question received 24/02/2004)

The chainlines are the imprints left in the paper during the production process (the paper is thinner at that point and more transparent when held up to the light) by the supporting copper wires of the paper mould (which in their turn are supported by wooden side bars of the mould frame), the laid lines or water lines together are the pattern mark left by the dense grid of parallel wires, the actual sieve, which are supported by (and attached to) the chain wires (standing at a 90 degrees angle). Chainlines generally stand apart some centimeters, waterlines one or a few millimeters. The watermark - if present - is the mark left in the paper by a copper wire figure attached to the grid, which is generally supported by two or three chainlines (and of course the dense pattern of water lines).

Dr. Albert J. Elen

(answer received 28/03/04)

As I research my family history I find 6 members living in London in 1891 who are all Paper bag makers in the St Pancras area of London. Can any one tell me if there was a factory in the area or was it a home occupation. In fact any information would be welcome. Also interesting is the fact that by 1901 none of them were in the same trade, what happened, did somebody invent a machine that put them out of work. Thanks in anticipation for your help.

David Melleney

(question received 17/02/2004)

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I just sent the message below to you. Someone with better eyes looked at the watermark which is actually a date 1794, which corresponds to the original printing date written under the print (As You Like It, Act 4, Scene 3). Does that confirm it is from the original printing? This would seem to be the case but fakesters might go to extremes...? Thanks for any information that you can provide.

I have recently acquired a number of these engravings and am trying to determine if they are from the original printing, which would be late 18th or very early 19th century(1803 or 1804 at latest) or if they are from later 19th century restrikes. Any suggestions? I have noticed a watermark on at least one of the prints and it appears in two locations on that print. It appears to be a series of four figures--numerals and letters, which may include an N and a 7? Does that suggest a likely date range? Does anyone know of the watermark that would be found on the original series of printings (assuming the pages were watermarked)? Thanks for any assistance or suggestions. Regards,

Beth Wells-Parker

(question received 01/02/2004)

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Dear Sir or Madam, here in New Zealand the founding document for the country is the Treaty of Waitangi. Before it was written up in the Maori language, the wording was worked out in English on a series of draft papers. This drafting process was undertaken between the 1st and 4th of February, 1840. The final English draft, in the handwriting of British Resident to New Zealand, James Busby, has a W. Tucker 1833 watermark on the paper (this one page is written on both sides). Our National Archives have never released a picture of a W. Tucker 1833 watermark, despite my request, and have only acknowledged that this rare watermark is found on but one New Zealand historical document. Apparently, there are two other historically obscure local documents with W. Tucker watermarks, dated 1835. In looking at very high resolution photos of the Treaty of Waitangi draft documents, I detect a vague watermark on several of the pages. The design is definitely a vertical standing oval with a double (inner and outer) border. I detect another inner and off centre oval, with what appears to be a diagonally lying cross in its centre. This is about the only detail I can visually pick up. The watermark is in the centre of the page and reasonably large...perhaps two inches in height. Attached please find a picture of the vague watermark, seen only at high magnification of these old draft pages that preceded the finished Treaty of Waitangi. I would dearly love to know if these watermarks (as shown on the attached picture file) are also W. Tucker 1833 designs that have never been acknowledged by our historians. I would be very grateful if you or another expert known to you could supply me with a clear picture of the W. Tucker 1833- 34-35 watermark design, which I imagine stayed the same throughout the years, other than the year of manufacture changing. Through my internet research I've found the following information about W. Tucker: There is reference to a William Tucker, papermaker, working as an apprentice in 1803 within the company, Edmeades and Pine, of Maidstone, England. In the apprentice lists of the same company, over the years, there is also mention of Thomas Tucker (1805) and James Tucker (1819), whom we can assume were members of the same (papermaker) family. Assuming W Tucker was an apprentice papermaker of 18 to 20-years old in 1803, he would have been about 50-years of age in 1833 when the paper for the draft notes of the Treaty of Waitangi was manufactured. One presumes that William Tucker, master papermaker, had his own company by that time. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mrawson/app3.html Any assistance that you or your colleagues can render would be most welcome and appreciated. Best wishes.

Martin Doutré, Auckland, New Zealand

(question received 31/01/2004)

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I’m seeking information about a "IV" watermark that appears in a drawing of the Danish castle Fridrichburg that may have been drawn by the Polish architect Christoph Marselis (1670’ies-1731). Marselis stayed in Denmark from 1702 to 1716. Unfortunately Marselis never signed his drawings, and I’m therefore interested to know if the watermark can tell something about the age and history of the drawing. The Thomas L. Gravell Watermark Archive has several "IV" watermarks (INIT.159,205,232,253,255,257,266) spanning from 1676 to 1714, but they are somewhat smaller than this one. I don’t know if here are any relation between the "IV" watermarks in the database and the one from the drawing. The size of the watermark is 19x30 mm, chainline distance varies from 25 to 27 mm, about 9 laidlines per cm. Paper size is 416x272 mm. Any information about the "IV" watermark will be highly appreciated.

Jakob Helt-Hansen

(question received 17/01/2004)

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Some chapbooks in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum were printed on half sheets of double crown paper. The dates of printing are between ca. 1790 and ca. 1820. I wonder how double paper was normally cut. Each single sheet folded and cut by hand? a few sheets gathered, folded and cut by hand? or many sheets cut with a guillottine? or any of the above? Thank you.

Carlo Dumontet

(question received 15/01/2004)

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Is there any standard 90/100gr paper with watermark available which is produced in China, Japan or Korea? Especially I am interested in Watermark paper which shows any Chinese japanese or korean character.

Harro Moewes

(question received 15/11/2003)

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I have a watermark with a lion and the text: "FRATELLI PICARDO", I want to know if this "fratelli" were sons of Bento Picardo and if so in which period did they work?

Patricia Sanchez
Conservator, National Archive of Mexico

(question received 8/8/2003)

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I am interested in poured pulp grinding cylinders used in the 18 and 19 hundreds The concrete mix. Are forms available. How the symmetry was maintained when pouring. Any other interesting information. I have several old ones on my property. They weigh hundreds of pounds. They came from the IP mill in Turners Falls, MA.

Doug Stotz

(question received 31/7/2003)

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I have some musical manuscripts composed by the same person either in Ekaterinoslav (now Dnepropetrovsk), Ukraine, between 1917 and 1921, or in Wilno, Poland (now Vilnius, Lithuania), between 1921 and 1923, for which I am trying to create an approximate chronology. I realize that 1917-23 is a short period of time, but I have exhausted other avenues (like musical style, information about peformances), and I'm hoping that the discrepancy in the quality of paper between the various mss. will reveal something about the order in which they were composed. This is inexpensive music paper, and none of it has watermarks. In general, was the quality of paper similar in Ukraine and Poland during this period? or was paper in one location better than in the other? and did the quality decline in both locations over this period of time?

Paula Eisenstein Baker
Music Dept., University of St. Thomas, Houston

(question received 24/6/2003)

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Hi. I have a color print of Venice with the name Canaletto, 1751 on it. The paper has a watermark of a rampant gryphon wearing a crown. Over the creature is the name Pervsia. Holding the paper up to the light it seems as though it was made in three overlapping strips with pretty coarse fibers. any idea of when this print might have been made and by whom?

George Robinson

(question received 21/5/2003)

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I am an English hand paper maker and paper historian living in France, and later this year I will be making a wooden stamper beater and re- constructing an old paper mill in Normandy France for the museums of the manch, I have information on the stamper beater at Richard de bas , pen mur, and a few others along with details from Jean Louis Boithias book on mills. Being a hand paper maker and historian I do not just want a working stamper but a very good working re-construction, So I am looking for as much information as possible on wooden stamper beaters at the moment, do you have information which it would be possible to copy or know of information on old stamper beaters. ( I am a member of the British Associations of paper Historians) I would also be grateful of information on membership to the IPH. Nigel Vellam
La Guimacere, Megrit
F-22270, France

(question received 21/5/2003)

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Dear sir; Could either tell me when this watermark - AD VALCKE - was used or direct me to someone who could answer my question. I have an etching that has this watermark in the paper. Thank you for any assistance you can give me.

Thomas & Pamela Palfrey

(question received 21/5/2003)

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If you were wrapping a present in 1928, what would the paper look like? Were there printed designs on paper, was it tissue paper or did it have to be heavier brown wrapping paper? Thank you.

Gloria Boyd

(question received 16/5/2003)

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I found a countermark on some drawings by Umberto Boccioni: Schoellers-Hammer. I would like to know the name of the city where the papermill was founded first and the approximate date of his foundation. I would like also to know if in 1905-1910 there was exportation of paper from Germany forward Italy; Boccioni often travelled through Germany so, he could buy that paper by himself. Any information would be welcome.

Gabriella Pace

(question received 20/3/2003)

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I am giving a paper on standardization of systems and would like to know how paper size was decided. Was it determined by the technology or did technology address an existing standard. Does this standard refer to current A and B etc paper sizes? Thank you,

Mary C Sheehan

(question received 19/3/2003)

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Any information on the papermills in the parish of Bledlow, Bucks., especially as they were around the 1830s, would be welcome. Their relation to the large paper-making concentration around High Wycombe (target in 1830 Captain Swing riots) is of interest. I'm trying to get a sense of the role of the mills as a "proto-industrial" focus for labour, outside the generally-accepted idea that Bledlow was totally agricultural (the village gained national attention as a guinea pig in an 1835 Poor Law Commission scheme to ship excess agricultural labourers from southern England to the textile factories of the North).

Frank Emmett

(question received 1/3/2003)

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I am conducting research on three 19th century straw wrapping paper mills in upstate New York (USA). While I have read most of the literature regarding paper making in the 19th century (that I have been able to get through my sources), I still have not found a good explanation of the detail involved in producing wrapping paper from straw. Most of the sources I have inspected deal with tracking ownership names, stating production statistics of the mill, and quantifying hardware capacities for "engines, beaters, and machines, etc." It would be refreshing to find a source that would explain the process of producing wrapping paper from straw in a rural paper mill in the 19th century. I know that these mills did not conform to one standard production process, but it would seem that somewhere, someone might have written a description of a "typical" straw wrapping paper site in the 19th century (recognizing the term "typical" in its most universal form!).

Who is able to assist me in this inquiry?

Chuck Friday

(question received 17/2/2003)

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I'm writing a research paper on the "Usability of magazines", and would welcome source information on earliest possible references to "usability" of paper. With usability I mean how paper was expected to be used in practice and what exact purposes (commercial, social, artistic, religious etc) were then thought of. I would like to know how the potential significance of paper was seen and discussed when it was first invented. And all this of course to understand better how we see it today and in the electronic future. Many thanks in advance for help.

Göte Nyman, University of Helsinki

(question received 10/2/2003)

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I would like know when the first paper was produced in the State of Arkansas.

R. McKee

(question received 10/2/2003)

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I'm writing a research paper on the "Usability of magazines", and would welcome source information on earliest possible references to "usability" of paper. With usability I mean how paper was expected to be used in practice and what exact purposes (commercial, social, artistic, religious etc) were then thought of. I would like to know how the potential significance of paper was seen and discussed when it was first invented. And all this of course to understand better how we see it today and in the electronic future. Many thanks in advance for help.

Göte Nyman
University of Helsinki

(question received 10/2/2003)

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I am writing a book about napkin holders. I am unable to find an event in history earlier than 1905 that points to the manufacture of the paper napkin. Any events would be appreciated.

Kenneth Sparks

(question received 4/2/2003)

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I am researching the use of paper by the Islamic conquerors of the Iberian Peninsula from the 8th through the 13th centuries. I have heard the hypothesis that it greatly aided in the spread of learning in the Islamic culture, much as Gutenberg's press aided in the spread of learning in Europe, because it was cheaper than the vellum that European scribes thought necessary; I have also seen it stated in various online histories that paper was not particularly cheap, but that its advantage lay in the fact that it was (a) not erasable and (b) erasable. Very confusing! Does anyone know the comparative cost of paper to vellum during this period, and also if paper of this period was erasable or not? Thanks very much.

Pamela Berkman
Senior Production Editor, Education Series

(question received 24/1/2003)

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To complete my documentation about the history of the Anciens Etablissements Louis De Naeyer Soc. Anonyme at Prouvy-Thiant (Nord) France, I am searching for information of the division at Prouvy-Thiant in France. This division was founded in about 1890, worked with 3 Papermachines and made mostly fine wrapping papers. There was also a boiler division. In 1959 the name changed in Les Papeteries de Prouvy SA and was sold early '60 to ?; Thanks for helping me to find some historical information about this "Denaeyer mill".

Jean Merckx

(question received 15/1/2003)

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I have a handwritten book measuring 15 1/2 by 12 3/8 inches, open. There are two watermarks: a crown over the letters GR and a larger Pro Patria mark that includes a lion? and Britannia? within a palissade. Can you please help me confirm its age. The front half of the book contains recipes, including a cure for the bite of a mad dog. The rear contains what appears to be a sermon, poetic tributes on the marriage of HRH the Prince of Orange to the Princess Royal of Great Britain, a love poem and verses from John Gay's The Beggars Opera and more. It all appears to point to a date around 1734. I have no idea who the book belonged to as the cover has gone. Has any one any tips to identifying it's provenence. It was found among family papers. Your help would be much appreciated.

Ann Donnelly

(question received 9/1/2003)

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I am researching engineers who made paper machines in Edinburgh pre 1900 and have found the following records of machines exported to Sweden.

James Bertram & Son Ltd Leith Walk Edinburgh built the following machines.
In 1866 a paper machine 100" 2.54M wide for Felber & Co, & Rosenthall & Co Manchester for Sweden. A drawing with plan and elevation of this machine (ref 50014) is in the Scottish Record Office Edinburgh. I have not seen this drawing, which may give identification of the mill. There are also Annual reports dating from 1868 may just give some information. Makers ref machine No 23
In 1875 a paper machine 82" 2.08M wide was made for Tidaholm Mills Sweden. A drawing of this machine (ref 50028 is in the Scottish Record Office. Makers ref machine no 40
In 1889 a paper machine 74" 1.88M wide was made for Felber Jucker & Co Sweden. A drawing of this machine (ref 50052) is in the Scottish Record Office. Makers ref machine no 76
In 1890 a paper machine 81" 2.05M wide was made for Felber Jucker & Co Sweden. A drawing of this machine (ref 50053) is in the Scottish Record Office. Makers ref machine no 76
Also Miller & Herbert Edinburgh made a paper machine for Sweden some time between 1866 and 1891.I have been told that this machine is now in a museum in Sweden.
If you have any information of any of the above machines I would be pleased to hear from you. Please pass on this Email to anyone you think may be interested in this subject. I am particularly interested in the last item - the Miller & Herbert Machine.

Sandy Thomson
Linlithgow Scotland

(answer received 6/12/2002)

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I am trying to find out in connection with Whatman:
1. Orders supplied to H.Humphrey publishers of satirical prints London between 179-1820
2. The size of the paper supplied
3. The frequency of watermarks appearing on this paper?
4. The size of the watermarks which seemed to change
Many thanks for any information on these matters

Omek Marks-London

(question received 6/12/2002)

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I would like to know how far back Rives papers date. Would they go back to France/Belgium/Luxembourg of the late eighteenth, early nineteenth century? Would a watermark beginning with ad.m (looks like ad.v or ad.m but ad.m makes more sense if this is a date) indicate anything?

Frances Nokes

(question received 17/11/2002)

See Carole Darnault, Rives, la mémoire du papier. Histoire d'une papeterie dauphinoise, Grenoble 2000.
This papermil's history began in 1573.

L. Ferrière
(answer received 23/12/2002)

I recently discovered the following watermark on a piece of robust cold-pressed drawing paper used by the late 19th/early 20th century Québecois (Canadian) architect, Zeppherin Perrault. To date I have not been able to determine anything about the paper mill that produced the paper or where the paper came from. The initials ''T & I(?) H'' appear at top with the word ''KENT'' below it. Can anyone positively identify this watermark or tell me anything about the mill that produced this paper?

Andrea Reichert
Getty Intern in Paper Conservation

(question received 28/10/2002)

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I am trying to date a map of England and Wales entitled Britannia Provincia Romanorum (14 x 16.5 inches). It is around 200-300 years old and shows the location of British tribes. The paper has watermarked parallel lines spaced at just over an inch apart. The main watermark (6.5 x 2.5 inches) shows a fleur-de-lys within a shield with a crown above. It resembles the 1773 mark of C&I Honig (as shown http://www.baph.freeserve.co.uk//watermarks/downmam.html) but with the letters I V G appearing below the shield. Does anyone know when and where the paper was made and for what atlas?

E.S. Harris

(question received 19/10/2002)

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I have discovered a watermark on a single paper with perfect edges and the striped pattern of laid vellum used by a cabinetmaker in Connecticut to write a document in 1776. The watermark is an outline of the English Coronation crown with two letters joined by an ampersand. First letter appearts to be lowercase L or could be an I or J then ampersand then the letter C. Beneath this in larger block letter is G R. I have tried Gravell to no avail. Can anyone place this watermark and the location of the manufacturer. Could be British or American.

Dawn Hutchins Bobryk
Simsbury Historical Society
Simsbury, CT USA

(question received 10/8/2002)

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I am currently researching the life of John Evans, the son-in-law of John Dickinson (Nash/Apsley Mills etc.). In 1855 he was called as an expert witness in a water rights dispute that was heard at the Kingston Assizes. I imagine the dispute was of a similar kind to the one brought by Dickinson against the Grand Junction Canal Company in regard to the Cow-Roast well, near Tring in 1852. Does anyone know the nature the second case, in 1855?

Dr. Michael Reynier

(question received 20/9/2002)

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I am researching a paper used in the production of postage stamps in Richmond, Va. during the civil war. It is high quality hard paper with what appears to be a ribbed surface. It does NOT appear to be laid paper. Based upon other research this paper was most likely made in the Confederate States or imported from England. Any ideas?

Jerry Palazolo

(question received 26/8/2002)

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My question is about a pioneer papermaker, Dr. Jacob Christian Schaeffer. Does anyone know anything about the man and his family? One of his daughters painted the flowers on some of his paper samples in his volumes of experiments published in Regensburg from 1765 onwards. I am researching Dr. Schaeffer and his experiments for my PhD and would welcome any information. I understand that he actually visited England on one of his journeys.

Christine Harrison

(question received 8/8/2002)

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I have a framed picture of a young mother holding a baby with an angel sitting behind in the background. The picture is on paper and has to be held up to the light because it is a water marking drawing. Anyone know anything about this beautiful picture and if it is valuable. The signature on the bottom of the drawing is Pietro Miliani Fabriano.

Lorianna

(question received 13/7/2002)

What you have is a shadow watermark portrait. It was made by the Cartiere Miliani in Fabriano, Italy. It is actually in the paper and not on it. It is neither a picture nor a drawing, but the thickness of the paper varies. These watermarks were and are made in substantial quantities. Let it be worth 25 $ at the most.

Albert Elen

(answer received 13/7/2002)


I am looking for informations about papermaker family Sterz from Schwarzenfells near Hanau (Hesse, Germany) (Paul Sterz, died between 1626-1636) and their relationship to the papermaker family Sterz from Lhota Rapotina near Boskovice in Moravia (Johann Sterz lived ca. 1630-1670). Can you help me, please?

Dr. Leos Vasek

(question received 3/7/2002)

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I have acquired a collection of prints by Charles Heaney (American, 1897-1981), one of which is on paper watermarked "J. Whatman 1952", (James Whatman, England). Is 1952 the date the paper was produced, or some kind of identification number?

Matthew W. Gerber

(question received 12/4/2002)

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I need too know what cards where made of in the 1400's. The reason why is Im researching the Tarocchi (tarot) deck. I have several letters out too what few museums have cards that date too period and one response stated that the Brambilla Tarot (1440-45) is tempera and gold on pressed cardboard. Its currently housed at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan. I am working too get a address to that museum too see what they think "card board" is. Then it hit me there may be someone who is studying these materials and might help me figure out what the paper was like. And what is my equivalent would be today. If anyone has any clues, I'd like too know.

Kathleen

(question received 11/4/2002)

Dear Mrs Kathleen,
about your question, I suggest you to contact Mr Alberto Milano (who lives in Milan!); he is a member of the International Playing Card Association and he is very expert about printing of italian playing cards (especially tarots) of the Renaissance. I'm sure that he can give you an answer to your question.
The e-mail of A. Milano is: dralmi@tin.it
Best regards,

Prof. Franco Mariani
Direttore Coordinatore ISIA Urbino
direzione@isiaurbino.it

(Answer received 27/8/2002)

From the documentation available in the Belgian play card museum at Turnhout, play cards were fabricated from different layers of paper that were glued to each other. The inner paper layers were of poor quality. Outside layers were better quality as they had to be printed. Morover the equal quality of the outlook was important to avoid that one could determin which card an other player had in hand. Currently I study the production of the poor quality paper used for the inside. It is most probably that this paper was called 'grey paper' and the region of Brussels became famous for this product as from late 15th century. Play card were at that time also produced in the visinity on a semy industrial scale. Several proof still need to be collected but it could be a hint.

Inge van Wegens

(Answer received 28/1/2003)


I have a drawing on paper which is watermarked "IMITATION STEINBACH" the drawing should date before 1916, does anyone have any information about this paper, is it modern, of could it be old?

Edward Harpley

(question received 28/3/2002)

Steinbach is the tradename of a Belgian paper mill which was founded in the late 18the century. At that time the city of Malmedy where the mill is located was part of Germany and it was annexed to Belgium after the first World War. The founders family was Steinbach. During long time till late 1960 the company was well known for its production of drawing paper. In the 19the century large part of the production was photo paper. The sheets of drawing paper were marked with a dry stamp STEINBACH in the right lower corner. The reference mentioned is unknown to me. In Malmedy where the mill is located exists a museum on paper and the currator might be able to help you out. Details of the museum are on our web.

Jos De Gelas

(answer received 2/2/2003)


Hello. Are you aware of any documents or maps that were made during the Revolutionary War that would have used wove paper? Also, have you ever heard of the watermark entitled Gilmour and Brothers that would have been used during the late 18th or early 19th century? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ellen Kehr

(question received 25/3/2002)

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I am researching the type of paper which would have been available aboard a U. S. transport ship in the Pacific in APRIL OF 1946. Sized 8 inches x 13 inches, it feels almost like construction paper, slightly grainy, unglazed and dry to the touch, medium mil, mainly wood pulp originally white, now foxed and browned. It is of a heavier grade than newsprint lighter than what is generally called construction paper. This is the type of paper which was perhaps generally used to be printed upon with stencils and hand cranked mimeograph machines, used in this instance to create 17 issues of a shipboard edition of the overseas U.S. soldier's newspaper "Stars and Stripes." Illustrations in this edition of the "Stars and Stripes" were also cut with a stencil. The artist was Siegfried Reinhardt, an American soldier returning from the China Burma India campaign and later an artist whose best known work is a 142' mural on the history of flight in Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Perhaps someone could clue me to a knowlegable individual who could name this type of paper or other means of determining what type of paper was used.

Delilah Tayloe

(question received 15/3/2002)

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I work at Norske Canada's Elk Falls Mill as a Millwright, and the other day the question was posed, "Why is the Couch Roll called a Couch Roll?" Nobody seems to have a difinitive answer! Thanks in advance,

Ed Lomax

(question received 15/3/2002)

To answer your question we have to take a French dictionary. 'Coucher' in the French language means 'to lay dawn'. During the handmade paper production times the second man at the vat who laid dawn the sheets on the felts was called the 'coucheur'. Later on when the paper production was mechanised the term remained to indicate the roll on the paper machine that received the wet paper from the sieve. The same terminology also exists in the board industry.

Jos De Gelas

(question received 2/2/2003)


Hello Sir or Madame, My Husband and I are debating as to the age of the paper making process...including, reed, rice etc. I am listing towards common sense and believe that people have been writing on paper for approx. 6,000 yrs. He leans more towards the conservative notion of 2,000 years. Who is more correct. Thank you in Advance,

Daniella Cross

(1st question received 25/2/2002)

Thank you so much Sir for your very expeditious reply. But before I send out the town crier...I found a site, http://www.paperonline.org/history/3000/3000.html and it states that Tapa dates back to 3000bc. Now if this is legitimate information, my Dear Husband ... as much as I do love him, would be wrong. What is your professional Opinion on this matter, in light of my findings? Very respectful of your time,

Daniella Cross
Coeur d'Alene, Id

(2nd question received 28/2/2002)

Dear mrs. Cross,
Praise to your husband: he is absolutely right. Check our website: www.paperhistory.org/china.htm

Dr. Albert Elen

(1st answer received 28/2/2002)

Dear Madam,
indeed you are a true researcher! Paper in the strict sense is made of linen fibers, with the use of water and a mould, and as such was first 'invented' by the Chinese somewhere in the first century AD. It 's first practical use as a writing material is traditionally believed to be by the Chinese Chai Lung (or Cailun, see the China report on our site). Tapa (=kapa =amatl =deluwang) is quite another material; it is made from the bark of trees in eastern Asia and Central America by beating the fibers in shape. It was used for several purposes, generally other than writing. Tapa is in fact one of the forerunners of paper as regards the production process and the use of vegetable fibers; papyrus and parchment (an animal material) were its forerunners as main writing materials. So if you are disputing the earliest use of paper as a writing material your husband is still 100% right (I'm sorry).
Best regards,

Dr. Albert Elen

(2nd answer received 1/3/2002)


I would like information on Victorian stationery watermarked "Perry & Sons." Was this a rather unusual and exclusive item or would it be commonly available? Does the company still exist?

Gary Nargi

(question received 10/12/2001)

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I'm looking for information on the Albinoni family and their involvement in paper making. I am a paper maker and oboe player, and played many of Tomaso Albinoni's works for the oboe, and I only know that he came from a paper maker's family.

Izhar Neumann

(question received 20/10/2001)

To Mr Neumann
About Albinoni's father: I know that Tomaso was the son of a Venetian paper merchant (an not a papermaker) who was obliged to sell his assets for debts in 1721. Sorry, but I dont know anything more.

Prof. Franco Mariani
(answer received 8/2/2002)


Je recherche toutes les applications possibles du papier dans l'industrie autres que bureautiques et informatiques. Plus exactement dans les processus de fabrication en tant que bandes transporteuses ou intercalaires, et autres. Qui utilise le papier technique? quand utilise t-on le papier technique? Pourquoi?
Merci d'avance pour toutes informations.

I am researching all kinds of applications of paper in the industry. I would to know when paper is used in a process of industrial production, by who and why. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jerome Pascale

(question received 16/10/2001)

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Census records for Leasingham in Lincolnshire (UK) show an area called Paper Mills. I believe there was a mill here and a small community developed around it. The records show families living in houses with addresses ie 2 Paper Mills. I am working on a Cert. in Local History and would like to do my final dissertation on this community. I would be very grateful for any info. on Paper mills but more importantly the community that built around them, info on Leasingham would be like gold dust !!.

Karen Warner

(question received 7/10/2001)

According to records there were several papermills in Leasingham including one reported to have been in use in the 15th century, which would make it the oldest papermill in England. I researched the Lincolnshire papermills for my dissertation last year and would be delighted to help Karen if she contacts me at: click here

Christine Harrison

(Answer received 3/5/2002)

I am trying to find out when the first wrapping paper, commercial I guess, was produced. From what I have found out wrapping paper began to be used about 1880, slowly becoming popular around 1910 or 1920, but I can find no information on who first made it, when, where and what inspired them. Any information on the subject would be GREATLY appreciated!

Tina Van Rikxoord

(question received 4/10/2001)

Carl Hoffman (A practical treatise on the manufacture of paper, book translate in German,1876, and in French, 1877) speaks in 1873 about wrapping paper made with the straw, the jute or the manilla. He quotes a special, satiny paper, on base of manilla to pack steels. One can suppose that the industrial production of this sort of paper began towards 1850, before, maybe. Before the first patent for the corrugated cardboard (USA, 1871), the history of wrapping paper is badly known.
I remain at your disposal for the other informations.
Sincerely

Denis Peaucelle
Musée du Papier
France - Angoulême
(answer received 16/10/2001)

Who can give me information on the three watermarks shown here? Many thanks in advance!

Alphonse Radermecker

(question received 01/10/2001)

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I have an old watermark ----Newton 1807-----with shield containing diagonal lines. Can you tell me something of the mark? Other details would be interesting too.

I have a Blauw watermark with IV underneath the name D and C Blauw and their full watermark to the right of the paper. Is it an unusual mark? Can you show me a full image please?

James McGags

(questions received 7/9/2001)

D&C Blauw is a common watermark used in France during the second half of nineteenth century by a large number of artists for their prints.I found it on De Nittis'prints in Museo Civico De Nittis of Barletta and in Gabinetto disegni e stampe of Uffizi. The exame of theese papers is published in:De Nittis incisore, Roma 1999 (the text is also in english). You can find an image of this watermark also in: Degas as printmaker, Boston 1984. I'm very interested in watermarks of this period. Please, send me back some informations if you have.

Gabriella Pace, Rome
(answer received 18/4/2002)

Please what is the approximate year of the watermark below? It is similar, but different from Briquet 4832, Piccard 112 and others. Thanks very much in advance.

Nicolangelo Scianna

(question received 3/9/2001)

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Je recherche des informations concernant les producteurs de gélatine pour papier photographique de 185 0 à ce jour. merci d'avance.

Christian Sixou

(question received 2/9/2001)

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What is the best way to get rid of the moldy, musty smell of a book that has been stored for many years in a damp, dark basement? I found a favorite book after many years of being stored in such a place and it had this smell as well as many black dots of mold on the exposed edges of the book perpendicular and parallel to the spine. I swiped these surfaces with a damp cloth containing bleach and it removed many of the tiny dots of mold, but the book still has a musty smell. Any thoughts on an inexpensive way to get rid of the smell?

Anonymous

(question received 27/8/2001)

It's really simple. Just leave the book in a room that gets lots of fresh air and leve it there for a while. Make sure that it isn't damp in there though. I'm not sure if this will work, but I think it will. Bye and good luck!

Alan Atwood
(answer received 6/12/2001)

We have been successful in placing the book inside a plastic bag with a small piece of cellulose sponge in a small dish and covered with isopropal or "rubbing" alcohol. Close the bag up and leave where it will not be disturbed for several days. Then air the book. Works well on small projects but we have used on flood damaged newspaper binders.

Dawn Hutchins Bobryk
Simsbury, CT USA

(answer received 10/8/2002)


I would be interested in exhanging info about papermakers from Niedersachsen, Germany 18th & 19th C. My Clasing ancestors made paper in Hemeringen in those times. Family has account book and journeyman's diary including lists of papermasters he visited 1843-'45. Do you know of anyone doing like research? from Gretchen Quie, Minnesota.

Gretchen Quie, Minnesota

(question received 6/7/2001)

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Has anyone heard of the name Frank "Spaetling" Speedling associated with a papermill in the United States ? I would appreciate any info.

Joe Solis

(question received 1/7/2001)

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On behalf of a friend of mine (Dr Rosário Campos), who is starting her thesis about a Portuguese paper factory, which started working in the end of the 17th century , I’d like to ask for your help, specially, bibliography related to Spain (above all Cuenca) and Italy (Genova).

Laurinda Abreu

(question received 14/6/2001)

Yo he estudiado la fabricacion del papel en Zaragoza durante las dos primeras décadas del siglo XVI y publique mis investigaciones en: La producción y distribución del libro en Zaragoza, 1501-1521. Aunque es anterior a la fecha de su interés puede resultarle interesante porque algunos de los olinos mencionados perviven hasta el siglo XX.

Anonimus Portugensis
(answer received 3/10/2001)

I have come across the following words in documents relating to paper mills. What do they mean? "corkle room with chimney" is it really cockle, meaning a drying stove or the cockle edge of paper?
"a bat and cooth plate", "six new treble sides", "shuttle", "saull room" is it really salle room.......a finishing room?

Hugh Nott

(question received 7/6/2001)

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I have a handwritten book supposed to be from 1773 and which I think was written in England.The watermark(s) on different pages are: A crown with the letters GB beneath it, a diamond shape drawn with double lines, with what appears to be "I O" inside the diamond. Can anyone provide information on these watermarks, and can anyone tell me if there is a catalogue or database of watermarks available on the internet?

Richard Barber

(question received 28/5/2001)

Try this link for Gravell's database.

Dawn Hutchins Bobryk
Simsbury, CT USA

(answer received 10/8/2002)

In order to be able to study the way the production process of paper spread from France to Belgium and later on to Holland I am interested to know books and articles that have been published about paper mill in the Northwest of France. The period needs to be before 1450. Titles are OK but copies would be better.

Jos De Gelas

(question received 27/4/2001)

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What would be the heaviest paper (expressed in gr/m2) to be used in modern paper fabrication which could include a watermark? This paper would be used for diplomas and should be as heavy as possible. Thank you for any information.

Tomas Stohr
(question received 25/3/2001)

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I believe I heard that the inventor of wood-pulp paper (I'm assuming this would be Hugh Burgess) was inspired by the example of the paper wasp. The inspiration was that if the wasp could do it, perhaps he could also. Can someone point me to a reference that confirms this?

Bob Seidensticker
(question received 26/3/2001)

In response to Bob Seidensticker getting the idea to use wood in paper from wasps here is a quote from Rene de Reaumur in 1719:

"The American wasps make a very fine paper . . . they extract the fiber of common wood and teach us that one can make paper from fibers of plants without using rags or linen."

Although he stated this in 1719, no one took him seriously until many years later. Reference: The 5th Wonder of Paper, pp 4.4. It is an old book and I would love to give you the author, but I can't find the book.

Lynne A. Bender
Education Coordinator
Texas Forestry Museum
(answer received 12/7/2001)

Reply to Lynne Bender's quote: John H Ainsworth is the author if that's any help, and the book was published in 1959.

Helen Clowes
Information Services
Arjo Wiggins Fine Papers Ltd (addition received 17/10/2001)

"Although he stated this in 1719, no one took him seriously until many years later. Reference: The 5th Wonder of Paper, pp 4.4. It is an old book and I would love to give you the author, but I can't find the book."

(question received /2001)

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I am looking for information regarding the Halbeisen family and its involvment in the paper making trade in 15th century Switzerland.

Nick Halbeisen
(question received 21/1/2001)

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Currently, I am doing a research project on the technical evolution of the papermachine. Therefore I am looking for databases,books, catalogues,etc. which contain data on the technical specifications (i.e., speed, width, etc.) of a large number of papermachines. I am especially interested in data for the USA and the UK for the 19th century and data on papermachines produced by the large global producers (Valmet, Beloit and Voith) for the 20th century. In addition I would like to find historical data on patents in the pulp and paperindustry.

Michiel van Dijk
Eindhoven University of Technology
department of technology management
ECIS PhD student

(question received 26/2/2001)

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I am researching the orgin of paper in the US. I need to know such things as, how it was initially received (peoples reactions), How it changed the average persons life, and what would have been used instead, also what perticular affect did it have on women. What is the future of paper in the US? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Heather
(question received 21/3/2001)

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I would like to know if anyone has any information about the historical background of Paper, Papermaking and Paper mills from the 16th to the 18th century in Upper and Lower Austria.

Kurt Kwaczik
(question received 2/3/2001)

I think that Mr Kwaczik can have an appropriate answer from Prof. Dieter Freyer (Vienna). His e-mail address is difr@vienna.at

Franco Mariani

(answer received 11/5/2001

A local historical society has discovered ruins of a Paper mill circa 1765. A still was discovered at the ruins. I'm interested in the Process & materials used at this time in the U.S. The question being is the still related to the paper making operation? Any information about the process & materials used would also be helpful to the research effort.

Barry J. Hoefermann (question received 12/12/2000)

If I can get a photograph of the still, I might be able to assist in determining the use. I have excavated some papermills myself an have got some experience.

Mail to: Jos De Gelas, Destelheide 73-75, B-1653 Dworp, Belgium

(answer received 27/4/2001)

I'm looking for information regarding Turner paper produced in England between 1848-1860. I'm also looking for information about the Steinbach papermills in Malmedy during the same period.

Martin Becka
(question received 26/5/2000)

This former German paper industry has been studied by Walter Kaefer IPH member. Two issues from his hand are known to me. If you are interested, copies can be provided against payment.

Contact address: Jos De Gelas, Destelheidestraat 73/75, B-1653 Dworp, Belgium

(answer received 27/4/2001)


As far as BPH is aware and can trace in their database two publications exist on the papermills in Malmedy and contain information about the Steinbach Mill. Both publications are in the French laguage from the hand of Walter Kaefer, one of our members. One has the title "Propos d'archéologie industrielle: Les Malmédiens Jules Steinbach at Romain Talbot. Leur contribution au développement de l'industrie photographique". It seems that the paper for photographic use was traded under the brand name "Papier de Saxe". This is as far as we got on the topic but Walter Kaefer might be able to assist in depth. Please note that he only speaks French and some German. Kind regards.

Jos De Gelas

(answer received 11/10/2000)


Bower, Peter, Turner's Papers:a Study of the Manufacture, Selection and Use of his Drawing Papers 1787-1820, Tate Gallery, London 1991
Bower, Peter, Turner's Later Papers: A Study...1820-1851, London (Tate Gallery) 1999 (also Oak Knoll Press, New Castle, Delaware, USA)

Konstanze Bachmann
(answer received 26/10/2000)

I noted incidently by browsing on the web that someone was interested in historical data about he Steinbach paper mill in the 18th century. The founders of this mill happened to be my ancestors( my grand-grand mother was Laure Steinbach), and I do have some historical data about the mill. please tell me if you are interested.


Pierre Fabeck
Avenue
de la Sapiniere, 26A
1180 Brussels
Belgium


(answer received 10/3/2001)

Who knows a product named "ONOMA-Paper". It was published as special product by the papermill in Buetzow (North-Germany, Mecklenburg) in 1935. It was named as a "patented" paper (for Germany?), but I could not find a patent for this name.

Roman Luplow
(question received 4/4/2000)

vielleicht das, dass "onoma" ein griechisches Wort ist und "Name" bedeut.

Stefan Feyerabend
(answer received 03/06/2000

great thanks for the forwarded comment! This interpretation of the word ONOMA gave Mr. Feyerabend on our regional conference in March of this year. But only the lingual interpretation (from latin) was presented by him, a mightly technological or technical interpretation of this patent we could'nt find. We thought, that the ONOMA-paper could eventually be an paper with a personally embossed name=onoma (calander or ...?) or anyone else like this. Could it be a substitute for the watermark in letter-papers offered for low-consumer-packaging-papers? The papermill at Buetzow (the formerly patent-holder) used in the middle of the thirties only a Fourdrinier-machine for low-quality papers (package-, Schrenz- ...) and one for very fine silk-papers. They only manufactured low-cost-paper from recycled material and silk paper from importet pulp. A recherche at the Patentamt Berlin gave us no newer information because the old patents (before 1950) are not registered by keywords. Our only hope is, that one of Your members or an old papermaker (reading Your Q&A) can give us the necessary help.-)Greetings to all members of IPH and Best regards

Roman Luplow
(reaction received 12/08/2000)

 

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