INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PAPER HISTORIANS

International standard for the registration of papers
with or without watermarks




English Version, 2.0 / 1997

This standard includes all relevant criteria for describing a sheet of paper with or without watermarks, in spite of its origin or age. Not all data have to be registered; the MUST fields are marked by the sign *


1   PURPOSE OF THE STANDARD


Historians, art historians, codicologists, criminologists and scholars in various other fields of scientific research make use of paper history, especially watermark analysis, in order to identify and date paper found in documents, books, manuscripts, prints, drawings, maps etc.

Strictly speaking, however, an identification of this kind is only possible if the registration of papers is carried out everywhere according to the same criteria and as comprehensively as possible.

It is assumed that the registration of papers is possible on small EDP units such as personal compu-ters without storage of image data in addition to the traditional card index and that the digital storing and reproduction of a watermark will not find widespread use in the foreseeable future.

This standard is intended to be a technical standard for data recording. The exchange of data and the development of corresponding software should be based upon the recommendations of IPH (see Appendices II,1 and II,2). Compared with the former provisional version (1.0 / 1992), the version 2.0 / 1997 offers more precise selection possibilities and contains in section 3.6 the criteria needed to register papers from Far East and from Arab countries.

2   BASIS OF THE STANDARD


This standard is based on the following conditions:
- Watermark is understood to be any mark which appears in the sheet of paper where there is a difference in sheet thickness regardless of how it is produced or of thegrade of paper or depression (wire or other elevation on the mould, impression on the wet or dry sheet of paper, hand- or machine-made paper).

- With handmade paper in particular, the watermark provides information about the chronological order in the production of the sheets primarily by comparing the small differences between the indi-vidual watermarks. Together with known dates of use or production this results in dating sequences which can be used to draw other conclusions.

- In order to prepare such dating sequences it is necessary to record the information on each water-mark as comprehensively as possible, including technical data and information on its use.

- The unique paper sheet is the starting point of every registration. Its data lead to conclusions con-cerning the basic production unit, the mould. All data not collected on a complete sheet have to be mentioned under 3.0.9 as 'fragment', even if the sheet (e.g. in a book) could be reconstructed. The descrip-tions of original moulds have to be stored in a separate file.

- A considerable help in preparing such registration is the determination of the position of the mark in the pair of moulds used
for handmade paper and the changes of
screen or dandy roll or molettes (impressed) for machine-made paper.

- Distinct differences between watermarks from a single or pair of moulds generally come from faults in the wire profile, the mould cover or the machine wire or the dandy roll as a result of continued wear during production.

- A short description of the object is compulsory; the bibliographical and codicological description of the object, as complete as possible, has to be stored in a separate data file.

- The source must be given under 3.0.6 for any information taken from existing literature; such data have to be earmarked by a following #.

- The more complete the registration of the information about the paper sheet, the more valuable it is for comparison with similar sheets.

3   DATA TO BE REGISTERED


The data marked * must be recorded as first priority as a basic registration

Section Code Subcode Description
3.0     Data of the sheet
3.0.0* IDEN   Entry number of the database
3.0.1* IDEN   Entry number of the database (or card index)
3.0.2* INST   Whereabouts; institution operating the watermark database (in abbreviated form, e.g. FPBN = Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale).
IPH will keep a compulsory list of sub-codes (abbreviations) of all institutions operating a watermark database
3.0.3* SIGN   Identification of the original sheet: inventory or accession number, e.g. Ms. Gr. 0219
3.0.4* SUBS   Number / subunit of the original sheet, e.g. fol. 96
3.0.5 BIBL   References from a Bibliography: abbreviation of the bibliography + number of the reference quoted
If there are several references, they are separated by a numeral following the code: BIBL1, BIBL2, etc.
3.0.6 REFE   Literature references, mentioning author (with first name), title, year, volume, page
If there are several references, they are separated by a numeral following the code, e.g. REFE1, RE-FE2, etc.
3.0.7 FUNC
art
dec
dr
graph
min
oth
pr
sec
spec
st
wr		 Paper type (general) in accordance with the end use
artist paper
decorated paper*
drawing or painting paper
graphic paper
poor quality, refuse
other kinds
printing paper
security paper
special watermarked paper (portrait, commemorative, etc.)
paper embossed with a stamp
writing paper
* IPH will publish specifications for registration of decorated papers in a separate database
3.0.8 USEP
back
book
doc
draw
end
env
map
ms
mus
obj
oth
pa
paint
plain
print
shif
spir
subs
tec
wrap		 End use of paper
backing paper (drawing or prints)
book (printed)
document
drawing
endpaper
envelope
map (geogr.)
manuscript (letter, bound, notebook, loose note, score)
music book, printed music
paper object
other end use
paper art
painting paper
plain sheet
print (work of graphic art)
shifu paper
spirit paper (mock money)
paper imitating other kind of material
technical paper (e.g. paper for gold beating)
wrapping paper
3.0.9* STAT
F
T
U		 State of sheet
fragment
trimmed
untrimmed
3.0.10* DIMH   Height of the sheet (in mm.)
3.0.11* DIMW   Width of the sheet (in mm.)
3.0.12 STAN   Allocation to a (historical/local/temporary) standard dimension with reference giving time and place of standard and the original height and width in mm (e.g. : Foolscap Folio, London 1850c., 203 x 330 (cf. Labarre Dictionary, p.259)
3.0.13* COLO
C
M
N
R
S
V		 Color of the sheet
coloured (surface dyeing or dyed coating)
marbled/decorated (all kinds)
natural (uncoloured fibres)
coloured (from dyed rags)
coloured (stock dyeing)
veined
3.0.14 INTS
D
F
L		 Intensity of the colour
dark
faded
light (pale)
3.0.15 TONE   Shade, given in full
3.0.16 PATT   Pattern, given in full
A special, separate database for decorated papers is recommended for collections containing major lots of such papers
3.0.17* SIDE
SD
SU
SN		 Position of wire side
wire side facing down
wire side facing up
facing not known
It is recommended to collect data with the wire side facing down
   
The following information is important especially for machine-made paper:
3.0.18 PULP   Type of raw materials used, given in full; e.g. rags of linen, linen/linters 50:50; hardwood/softwood pulp 50:50
3.0.19 FILL   Fillers, given in ful
e.g. starch; china clay
3.0.20 SIZE   Type of sizing, given in full
e.g. starch sizing; rosin sizing
3.0.21 SDEG
FS
HS
NS		 Degree of sizing
full sized
half sized
unsized
3.0.22 COAT   Type of coating, given in full
e.g. wheat starch; latex
3.0.23 CMOD
A
D
S		 Mode of coating
absent
double side
single side
3.0.24 DYES   Dyestuffs used, given in full; if possible, in accordance with the Colour Index
3.0.25 ASHC   Ash content (% according to DIN 54370)
3.0.26 BEKK   Smoothness (index according to BEKK, DIN 53107
3.0.27 WEIG   Basis weight (weight of the sheet converted to g/m2)
3.0.28 THIC   Thickness of the sheet (in µm according to DIN 53105)
3.0.29 GRAD   Paper grade, given in full (according to DIN 6730; oriental papers according to local denominations)
3.0.30 BRAN
Brand name, given in full, in its original spelling
3.0.31 MACH
CY
FO
OT		 Type of paper machine used for production
Cylinder (vat) machine
Fourdrinier machine
other types
3.0.32 WMOD
CL
DR
EMB
IMP
OTH		 Mechanical watermark application technique
Wire (cylinder machine)
Dandy roll
embossed
impressed (molette)
other
3.1     Watermark data
The data 3.1.1 to 3.1.12 must be described separately for each watermark or part of a combined watermark contained in one sheet. Arab numerals are then placed immediately after the codes 3.1.1 to 3.1.12, e.g. STRU1, STRU2, STRU3
3.1.0* KIND
BO
C
nCRN

DV
M
N		 Kind of watermark(s) in the sheet
border watermark (decoration)
counter watermark
corner watermark (decoration)
on n corners
dividing line(s)
main watermark
without watermark
The description of several watermarks in one sheet consists of the subcodes followed by arabic numerals, e.g. KIND1 M; KIND2 C
3.1.1* STRU
EMB
LSW
LW
MOL
SW
TL
UNT		 Structure of watermark
embossed watermark
combined line/shadow
line watermark
molette watermark (impressed)
shadow watermark
watermark produced by thread lines
false watermark (e.g. produced by printing a colourless liquid)
3.1.2 POSP
C
D
L
M
R
U		 Position of the watermark in the sheet
center
lower part
left part
middle
right part
upper part
Two letters may be combined, e.g. "D L" for "left lower part"
3.1.3* MOTI   Main motif of watermark, abbreviated, coded according to section 5.2 and appendix I
e.g. D5/2 (Eagle, double-headed)
3.1.4 CLAS   Class of watermark with subclasses, coded according to section 5 with appendix I and , possibly, addendum 1.
If addendum 1 is not used, the elements of a composite watermark should be mentioned as in 3.1.3, separated by the sign - (and), preceded by the main watermark element, regardless of their position in the watermark, ex. D5/2 - R3/1 - M14 - R1/3 - T3/1 'Heusler' = Eagle, double headed, with crown and sword, bearing a crozier; below is the trade-mark of the Heusler family
3.1.5* FULL
Extensive description of watermark (in full)
3.1.6* MESH
Height of the watermark in mm
(to be measured as a rectangle parallel to the vertical axis of water-mark, using a rectangular sliding rule)
3.1.7* MESW   Width of watermark in mm (to be measured according to 3.1.6)
3.1.8* POSL   Smallest horizontal distance in mm between the watermark and the nearest chain line on the left
3.1.9 POSR   Smallest horizontal distance in mm between the watermark and the nearest chain line on the right
3.1.10 POSB   Smallest horizontal distance in mm between the watermark and the bottom of the sheet
3.1.11 POSH   Smallest horizontal distance in mm between the watermark and the top of the sheet
3.1.12* POSC   Number of the compartment (counted from left to right) which is touched by the furthest left point of the watermark
3.1.13 INFO   Additional information on the actual watermark, in full, e.g. 'fragment'; 'can only be registered un-completely due to the use of paper'; 'registration difficult because stuck to a backing'; assumptions as to the position of watermark in the original sheet, etc.
3.2     Mould data
3.2.1* FABR
H
M		 Paper production type
hand-made
machine-made
3.2.2* TYPE
B
L
T
U
W		 Paper type according to mould
bamboo screen
laid, vergé (Europe)
textile screen
not identified
wove, vélin (Europe)
3.2.3* LLIN   Laid lines in the sheet
(number of laid lines over a distance of 20 mm, measured along the chain line to the left of water-mark or, for papers without watermark, measured three times along one of the centre chain lines, first at the bottom of the sheet, second in the middle, third at the top, to be measured even on trimmed sheets)
3.2.4* CHFI   Order of compartments in the sheet
(Width of the chain compartments in mm in order from left to right, measured in the middle of the sheet, starting with the distance from the left border to the first chain line; every number divided by a hyphen; to be measured even on trimmed sheets)
Example: 4-15-20-22-20-22-23-20-14-3
3.2.5 SHAD
BS
IS
MS
NS
 Shadow zones
zones below the chain lines
irregular zones
zones in the middle of the compartments
without shadow zones
3.2.6 WIRE   Special characteristics of the mould, in full, e.g. faults in the wire, special traces
3.2.7 MOUL   Access number of the mould on which the sheet was formed (in a separate mould database)
3.2.8 PAIR   Access number(s) of data (in a separate mould database) of the second mould forming the pair
3.3     Bibliographical / codicological data
3.3.1 AUTH   Author or editor, if there is no author (if necessary, with reference to a special database)
3.3.2 ARTS Artist
(if necessary, with reference to a special database)
painter, draughtsman (inv[enit], del[ineavit], pinx[it])
engraver (sculp[sit])
3.3.3 WRIT   Writer of a manuscript
3.3.4 TITL/CONT   Title of a work of art (subject), of a manuscript or printed book
Summary (in full)
3.3.5* NATU   Country of use (in full + abbreviation)
Historical name of the country where the paper was used, followed by the present name (abbreviated according to the international automobile code)
Example: Saxony (D)
3.3.6* LOCU   Place of use (printing or writing)
Name of the place where the paper was used, in local spelling or in English, followed by the histori-cal name at the time of use (if it is different) in local or Latin spelling
Example: Séléstat (Schlettstadt)
3.3.7 PUBL   Publisher or Editor, in full, (if necessary with reference to a special database)
3.3.8 PRNT   Printer, in full, (if necessary with reference to a special database)
3.3.9* DATB   Earliest possible date of use (writing, printing, etc.) (= terminus post quem / a quo)
It is assumed that the date of use, if it is unknown, may at least be roughly estimated.
Conclusions concerning the dates of use of a mould can be drawn from several sheet data and should be registered in a separate mould database relationally.
Formatted as 'DATE' (DD.MM.YYYY)
An exact date is recorded in 3.3.9 as well as in 3.3.10. For estimates, the 1st of January stands for the beginning of a year, the 31st of December for its end
Example:
DATB: 01.01.1776
DATE: 31.12.1799
stands for use in the 4th quarter of the 18th century
3.3.10* DATE   Latest possible date of use
(writing, printing) (= terminus ante quem)
Formatted as in 3.3.9
3.3.11* DATM
idat
tdat
ndat		 Kind of dating
date preserved on the sheet (object) or contemporary
traditional date
without date; date is an estimate or deducted
3.4     Papermill data
These data can be replaced in 3.4.4 by a reference to the relevant data set of a papermill sub-database
3.4.1 NATP   Country of papermill location
Formatted as in 3.3.5 (NATU)
3.4.2 LOCP   Place of papermill location
Formatted as in 3.3.6 (LOCU)
3.4.3 MILL   Name of papermill
Formatted as in 3.3.6 (LOCU)
3.4.4 IMIL   Access number of papermill in the papermill sub-database
3.5     Papermaker data
These data can be replaced in 3.5.4 by a reference to the relevant data set of a papermaker sub-database
3.5.1 MAKE   Surname of papermaker, in modern spelling, followed by different historical spelling(s)
Example: Heusler (Hüsler, Heisler)
3.5.2 FNAM   First name(s) of papermaker
Formatted as in 3.5.1
3.5.3 RANK
F
M
O
T		 Rank of papermaker in the producing mill
Fellow
Master, Foreman
Owner
Tenant
3.5.4 IMAK   Access number of papermaker in the papermaker sub-database
3.6     Additional criteria for the registration of Far Eastern and Arab papers without watermarks
The criteria mentioned in sections 3.0 to 3.5 do not allow a comprehensive registration of Far Eastern and Arab papers. The following points have to be included as a supplement
3.6.1 ASPR   Description of the surface aspect, recto, in full
3.6.2 ASPV   Description of the surface aspect, verso, in full
3.6.3 SPEC   Peculiarities of the sheet, in full
3.6.4 ZZZZ
Y
N		 Zigzag mark(s) in the sheet
existing
not existing
3.6.5 ZNUM   Number of zigzag columns
3.6.6 ZZNU   Number of zigzag elements, beginning at the top
3.6.7 ZHHH   Medium height of zigzag element in mm, measured at a right angle to the upper border of the sheet
3.6.8 ZWWW   Medium width of zigzag element in mm, measured at a right angle to the left border of the sheet
3.6.9 ZAAA   Medium angle of the oblique line of zigzag element, in degrees, measured from the lower border of the sheet
3.6.10 ZDMN   Minimal depth of zigzag mark, in µ
3.6.11 ZDMX   Maximal depth of zigzag mark, in µ
3.6.12 ZPSD   Distance of the zigzag column(s) from the lower border of the sheet, in mm
3.6.13 ZPSU   Distance of the zigzag column(s) from the upper border of the sheet, in mm
3.6.14 ZPSL   Distance of the zigzag column(s) from the left border of the sheet, in mm
3.6.15 ZPSR   Distance of the zigzag column(s) from the right border of the sheet, in mm
4     Information about the original watermark or sheet and its reproduction
As additional information about the object data described, it is very important to know if the data have been derived from the original or from a reproduction. Also, existing reproductions of an origi-nal have to be mentioned, indicating their type and their access numbers. Since a wrong interpretation may arise if a watermark is enlarged or reduced, even when the scale is given, the reproduction should be of original size
4.1* ORIG
Y
N		 Data retrieved from an original or a reproduction
Data from the original
Data from a reproduction
4.2 TRAC   Hand-drawn tracing
Hand-drawn tracings are generally inexact and hardly ever indicate the position of the watermark in the sheet. In those instances where rubbing, UV photography or radiography are not allowed, or are judged impractical or dangerous to the material, for the time being a practical method of reproduc-tion remains tracing, however inaccurate, using a protective film (e.g. KODATRACE)
4.3 PHOT   Transparency photographs
Transparency photographs often suffer because of writing or printing as well as irregularities in the sheet
For this reason the following methods which provide satisfactory results are recommended:
4.4 RUBB   Rubbing
This method, if its application is allowed by the owner or keeper of the paper, can be used with mi-nimum effort and virtually without any technical equipment, even if the sheet has been laminated or printed/written on
Materials: pencil with a soft lead (no.2) or a carpenter's pencil or a tight, slightly blackened textile ball (heelball); writing paper (unlined) or typing paper, 35 - 50 g/m2
Method: The sheet of paper being registered is placed on a hard surface, if possible with the wire side up, and the copy paper on top. Diagonal strokes are then made with the unsharpened end of the pencil or with the ball in immediate proximity to each other from upper left to bottom right over the entire surface of the suspected or visible watermark. A lightly shaded dark area is obtained in which the exact reproduction of the watermark in its original size becomes visible as pale lines. For recor-ding sections e.g. with wire faults, separate rubbings will be necessary.
Reference: W. Haupt, Wasserzeichenwiedergabe in schwierigen Fällen, Maltechnik/Restauro, 1981, pp. 38-43
4.5 UVPH   UV-photography
Method: The sheet is placed upon a photosensitive paper (DYLUX) and exposed to visible light (410-500 nm). Subsequently (not immediately after daylight exposure), the photosensitive paper is exposed to UV radiation (200-400 nm). For practical reasons, this order can be reversed. The UV source is a standard (portable) UV apparatus.
Reference: T.L.Gravell, "A New Method of Reproducing Watermarks for Study", Restaurator 2 (1975), pp. 95-104
4.6 PHOS   Phosphorescence technique
Method: A phosphorescent plate is activated by UV radiation; then the sheet is placed upon this plate and irradiated by UV and IR radiation. The plate is brought to close contact with a commercial black-and-white panchromatic film which afterwards is developed as usual.
Reference: J.Siener, "Ein neues Verfahren zur Abbildung von Wasserzeichen", Gutenberg-Jahrbuch 1981, pp. 99-102
4.7 RADI   Radiography
All radiographic recordings have a common advantage, that printing, writing and drawing inks are not shown and the watermark and the wire structure show up clearly. However, metallic illustrative colours (e.g. lead white, golden bronze or red lead) or sheet gold throw black shadows. We propose that each printroom or archive should provide facilities to make radiographs and also should consider registration of watermarks for part or for the whole of their collections, and make these available for use by scholars. In all radiographic recordings the safety regulations have to be observed carefully.
Technically there are three types of radiographs which are all suitable for reproducing watermarks:
4.7.1   SX Soft X-ray radiography
4.7.2   BETA Beta radiography
4.7.3   ELEC Electron radiography

References:
- Ash, Nancy E., "Watermark research: Rembrandt prints and the development of a watermark archive", The Paper Conservator 10 (1986), pp. 64-69
- Lectures of the Symposium Zerstörungs-freie Prüfung von Kunstwerken, Berlin 1987:
-- Schnitger, D. and Ziesche, E., "Elektronenradiographie von Wasserzeichen", pp. 34-42
-- Van Hugten, H., "Weichstrahlradiographie z.B. bei Papier", pp. 43-49
-- Rose, P., "Digitale Bildverarbeitung als Hilfe bei Durchstrahlungstechniken", pp. 50-60
- Schnitger, D. and Ziesche, E., "Elektronenstrahlradiographien - Beispiele zur Datierung mit Hilfe von Wasserzeichen", IPH Yearbook 7 (1988), pp. 209-223
4.8 SURF   Digitalized non-contacting thickness measuring
This method, executed line after line for a whole sheet, reproduces the watermark accurately like rubbing, but can be used with special computerized apparatus only.
4.9 SCAN   Scanning
Digitalized scanning of the sheet in translucent mode on a specialized scanner
4.10 DIVE   Other reproduction techniques
4.11* IDNR   Access number and / or location of the reproduction
5     Classification of types of watermark
5.1     General
Recording of the type classification of a watermark (see 3.1.3 and 3.1.4) must be carried out accor-ding to a code, to avoid misunderstandings or translation difficulties with verbal descriptions (see 3.1.5) as follows:
- the main mark determines the allocation to the main class;
- additional marks and variations are recorded in a subclass;
- parts of a whole (e.g. 'head', 'bust', 'fruit') as well as particularities of position and heraldry are to be coded with suffixes and additional numbers (see appendix I, addendum 1)
In practice, searching for 10 to 12 watermarks similar to a given specimen of a collection is possible in a very few seconds, based only on the watermark measurements and the main watermark type classification code. The definite comparison has in the following to be made visually, but presents no difficulties.
The code key given in the appendix uses the proven classification according to motif keywords as used in the works by Briquet, K.Th. and W.Weiss, Piccard and others. However, it differentiates between the categories consequently according to the presentation of the watermark and not accor-ding to a form or meaning, and avoids all terms which are not object-related. Formal differences within a category are recorded as subclasses (3.1.3), if necessary with further subdivisions (3.1.4). Further differences have to be recorded in full (3.1.5) or completely coded (see Appendix I, adden-dum1; optional) and with a reproduction (see 4.2ss.) in every case.
The following index is deliberately open and can therefore be supplemented at any time. Suggestions for additions should be made to IPH which will publish supplemented indexes periodically.
Addendum 1 to Appendix I explains a complete code which makes it possible to describe even com-posite watermarks; examples are given.
5.2
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z		   List of the main classes
Human figures; men; parts of the human body
Women
Mammals
Birds
Fish, reptiles, insects, molluscs
Mythical figures
Plants (general); flowers; grass
Trees; shrubs; creepers
Sky, earth, water
Buildings, parts of buildings
Transport, vehicles
Defence and arms
Tools, equipment, clothing
Musical instruments
Containers
Miscellaneous objects
Insignia of rank, sceptre, mace, jewellery
Religious or magic symbols and signs
Heraldry, coats of arms, mason's marks, trademarks
Geometric figures
Numbers, numerals
Individual letters
Monograms, abbreviations with letters
Names (in full)
Unclassifiable watermarks

5.3   Index of database labels

Label Meaning Subcodes Section
ARTS

ASHC
ASPR
ASPV
AUTH
BEKK
BIBL
BRAN
CHFI*
CLAS


CMOD


COAT
COLO





CONT
DATB*
DATE*
DATM*


DIMH*
DIMW*
DIVE
DREV*
DYES
FABR*

FILL
FNAM
FULL*
FUNC










GRAD
IDEN*
IDNR*
IMAK
IMIL
INFO
INST*
INTS


KIND*





LLIN*
LOCP
LOCU*
MACH


MAKE
MESH*
MESW*
MILL
MOTI*

MOUL
NATP
NATU*
ORIG*

PAIR
PHOS
PHOT
POSB
POSC*
POSH
POSL*
POSP





POSR
PRNT
PUBL
PULP
RADI



RANK>


REFE
RUBB
SCAN
SDEG


SHAD



SIDE*


SIGN*
SIZE
STAN
STAT*


STRU*






SUBS*
SURF
THIC
TITL
TONE
TRAC
TYPE*




USEP



















UVPH
WEIG
WIRE
WMOD




WRIT
ZAAA
ZDMN
ZDMX
ZHHH
ZPSD
ZPSL
ZPSR
ZPSU
ZNUM
ZWWW
ZZNU
ZZZZ
 artist

ash content
aspect of surface, recto, in full
aspect of surface, verso, in full
author/editor
smoothness
reference to bibliography
brand name
order of compartments in the sheet (chain line comp'ts
class of watermark (coded)


type of coating


coating
colour of the sheet





content, in full
earliest possible date of use
latest possible date of use
kind of datation


height of the sheet
width of the sheet
other reproduction technique
date of entry or revision
dyestuffs
production mode

fillers
first name(s) of papermaker
complete description of watermark, in full
paper kind (general, according to intended end use)










paper grade
entry (access) number
access number / location of reproduction
access number of papermaker in a sub-database
access number of papermill in a sub-database
additional information on watermark
whereabouts of the original
colour intensity


kinds of watermark(s)





laid lines in the sheet
place of origin
place of use
type of paper machine


family name of papermaker
height of watermark
width of watermark
name of papermill
watermark motif (main code)

access number of the mould in a sub-database
country of origin
country of use
original

information on pair of moulds
phosphorence technique
transparency photograph
distance of the watermark from bottom of the sheet
nR. of the compartment with furthest left end of wm.
distance of watermark from the top of the sheet
distance of watermark from left chain line
position of watermark in the sheet





distance of watermark from right chain line
printer
publisher
type of fibres used in the pulp
radiography



rank of papermaker



literature reference
rubbing
scanning
degree of sizing


shadows



position of the wire side


identification of the original sheet
type of sizing
standard dimension
state of the sheet


structure of watermark






sub-signature (additional to SIGN)
digitalized non-contact thickness measuring
thickness of the sheet
title
shade
tracing
type of paper




end use of paper



















UV-photography
weight of paper
special wire characteristics
mechanical watermark application technique




writer
medium angle of zigzag oblique line
minimal depth of zigzag impression
maximal depth of zigzag impression
medium height of zigzag element
distance of zigzag column from bottom of sheet
distance of zigzag column from left border of sheet
distance of zigzag column from right border of sheet
distance of zigzag column from top of the sheet
number of zigzag columns
medium width of zigzag column
number of zigzag elements in column from top
zigzag mark(s) existing
 art
engr











A
D
S

C
M
N
R
S
V



idat
ndat
tdat





H
M



art
dec
dr
graph
min
oth
pr
sec
spec
st
wr







D
F
L
BO
C
nCRN
DV
M
N



CY
FO
OT









N
Y







C
D
L
M
R
U





BETA
ELEC
SX
F
M
O
T




FS
HS
NS
BS
IS
MS
NS
SD
SN
SU



F
T
U
EMB
LW
LSW
MOL
SW
TL
UNT






B
L
T
U
W
back
book
doc
draw
end
env
map
ms
mus
obj
oth
pa
paint
plain
print
shif
spir
subs
tec
wrap



CL
DR
EMB
IMP
OTH












Y
N 		3.3.2

3.0.25
3.6.1
3.6.2
3.3.1
3.0.26
3.0.5
3.0.30
3.2.4
3.1.4
sect. 5
appendix I
3.0.23


3.0.22
3.0.13





3.3.12
3.3.9
3.3.10
3.3.11


3.0.10
3.0.11
4.10
3.0.1
3.0.24
3.2.1

3.0.19
3.5.2
3.1.5
3.0.7










3.0.29
3.0.0
4.11
3.5.4
3.4.4
3.1.13
3.0.2
3.0.14


3.1.0





3.2.3
3.4.2
3.3.6
3.0.31


3.5.1
3.1.6
3.1.7
3.4.3
3.1.3;
appendix I
3.2.7
3.4.1
3.3.5
4.1

3.2.8
4.6
4.3
3.1.10
3.1.12
3.1.11
3.1.18
3.1.2





3.1.9
3.3.8
3.3.7
3.0.18
4.7
4.7.2
4.7.2
4.7.3
4.7.1
3.5.3



3.O.6
4.4
4.9
3.0.21


3.2.5



3.0.17


3.0.3
3.0.20
3.0.12
3.0.9


3.1.1






3.0.4
4.8
3.1.28
3.3.4
3.0.15
4.2
3.2.2




3.0.8



















4.5
3.0.27
3.2.6
3.0.32




3.3.3
3.6.9
3.6.10
3.6.11
3.6.7
3.6.12
3.6.14
3.6.13
3.6.15
3.6.5
3.6.8
3.6.6
3.6.4

Addendum 1: The alphanumerical code
The alphanumerical code comprises:
I the main class in the form of a capital letter, directly followed by the subclass in Arabic numerals and a slash (to separate)
II any further subclassifications in the form of Arabic numerals and a slash (to separate).
III information on additional figures or accessory marks and their position with respect to the main watermark coded as follows:

DESCRIPTIVE CODES
code sign meaning Example
/ subclass L4/1 = rowing boat
" " beginning and end of literally quoted letters or numbers "Crossen" = surname Crossen
[ ] subordinate (= with) D5/1 [R3/1] = eagle with crown
- coordinate (= and) D5/1 [R3/1-R7] = eagle with crown and sceptre
= equal (= synonymous) Crow's foot = Griffin's claw
(n*) n times (multiplication) (3* (U1)) = three circles
(x:) crossing (2* (x:M14)) = two crossing swords
(i:) italics
(g:) gothic
­ vertical
® horizontal
CONNEXIONS
{c:} overlaid D5/1 {c: "JANSON"} = eagle, with the surname "Janson" overlaid
{t: } at the top; above
{b: } at the bottom; below
{r: } at the right
{l: } at the left
{p, q, s, u + numeral:} see below s.v. affixes
<f > within an edging / cartouche
<w> within a wreath
<t: > on a table / base
<d: > with a decoration (edgings)
<e: > with decorating corners
AFFIXES
p Parts of the body q position s Heraldry
(man; animal)
p01 leg q0. = lateral s0. = undivided
p02 foot q01 lat.upright s01 coat of arms without escutcheon
p03 arm q02 lat.walking s02 oval escutcheon
p04 wing q03 lat.sitting s03 esc. U-shaped
p05 hand/paw q04 lat.lying s04 esc. inflected
p06 claw q1. = facing s1.= horiz.divided
p07 trunk q11 = fac.upright etc. s11 = coat of arms without escutcheon,
p08 protoma, bust horiz.divided etc.
p09 heart s2. = vertically divided
p10 head s22 oval esc., vertically divided
p11 hair s3. = diagonally divided
p12 antlers s33 U-shaped escutcheon, vertic.divided
p13 tooth s4. = divided into four parts
p14 tail s5. = other division

u parts of plant
u01 root
u02 stem/rod
u03 stalk
u04 branch
u05 leaf
u06 flower
u07 fruit, crop

A EXAMPLE OF A SIMPLE WATERMARK
Description in full (according to 3.1.5):
below a crown, capital italics CLK
Completely coded description (according to 3.1.4 and appendix I):
R3/1 - {b: (i: X "CLK" ) }
Crown and below italics abbrev. CLK

B EXAMPLE OF A COMPLEX WATERMARK
Description in full (according to 3.1.5):
Eagle, crowned, overlaid with italic capitals FWR, holding sceptre and sword in the
left claw, an orb in the right claw, at the top the name "G W Loeschge", at the
bottom "in Ansbach"
Completely coded description (according to 3.1.4 and appendix I):
D5/1 [ R3/1 - {c: (i: X "FWR") -
Eagle with crown and overlaid with italics abrev. FWR and
C1: p06 [ R7 - M14 - {r: p06 [
left claw with sceptre and sword and right claw with
R4 - {t: ® Y "G W L0ESCHGE" - {b:
Orb and top horizontal name G W LOESCHGE and bottom
® Y "IN ANSBACH" } ]
horizontal name IN ANSBACH

Appendix II: Recommendations for Structuring a Watermark Database-Convention for Data Exchange

II, 1: Establishing and structuring a watermark database
The following criteria have to be considered when establishing a new watermark database and choo-sing software:
1 Relational structure of the database with unlimited number of files open at the same time
2 Unlimited length of data sets and database
3 Fields permitting insertion of flowing text of unlimited length
4 Unrestricted copying of fields during input
5 SQL compatible retrieving language
6 Menu-driven user surface
7 Adaptability of all segments (file and field structures, menus, screens, access authorization, data import and export, layout etc.) by integrated programming language
8 Input possibilities for special characters (especially non sorting signs, description signs, jokers)
9 Calculable fields for dates (all centuries)
10 Interactive duplication and reference control during input
11 Programmable plausibility control
12 Query by example.

The database should contain at least five main masterfiles and two stock masterfiles.
Main:
- Sheet parameter file
- Watermark parameter file
- Mould parameter file (mould data compiled per conclusion from sheet parameters)
- Mould file (data of original moulds preserved in a collection)
- Codicological / bibliographical file
- (optional) Marbled (decorated) paper file

Stock:
- Papermaker masterfile
- Papermill masterfile
- Other masterfiles (e.g. of printers, publishers, artists) (optional)

This structure is based upon the fact that one sheet forms the smallest unit to be described. All data describing one individual sheet are stored in the sheet parameter file. In part, these data are identical for several sheets, i. e. for all sheets formed by the same mould. These data are stored only once in the mould parameter file, and all data sets belonging to one mould in the sheet parameter file will contain the same reference to the one data set in the mould parameter file. Every sheet may bear a different number of watermarks of which each individual description may be of interest. These de-scriptions are stored in the watermark parameter file. References in the sheet parameter file connect these descriptions with the paper sheet data set.

Bibliographical and codicological data are identical for all sheets or parts of sheets originating from the same copybook or book. So there will be only one data set for each book stored in the biblio-graphical and codicological file. References in the sheet parameter file connect it with the relevant sheet data sets.
The data of the papermill producing sheets are identical for a large number of sheets, i. e. all sheets produced by the same mill. Each papermill is registered only once and references in the mould para-meter file connect it with the moulds used in this mill. The same applies to the individual papermaker of which only one data set exists in the papermaker masterfile. If one papermaker worked in more than one mill, references to the papermaker masterfile will connect it in the papermill masterfile.
Other special masterfiles, e.g. for printers, publishers, artists, will be connected in the same way.
This structure is necessary for installing the databases with reference possibilities as mentioned abo-ve. Only this structure permits minimal redundancies and (at least for the era of hand papermakers) the accurate reproduction of the relations between papermaker, papermill, mould, sheet and end user's product.

II.2.: Convention for data exchange
As basic rules, the following conventions for data exchange are fixed:
II,2.1 The machine readable data consist only of signs forming the enlarged ASCII character set
II,2.2 The data have to be structured according to the data set technique as follows:
=======================================================================
Starting sign for data set I
INST; separator; Ent; separator; field name 1; separator; content field 1; end of line
INST; separator; Ent; separator; field name 2; separator; content field 2; end of line
..................
INST; separator; Ent; separator; field name n; separator; content field n; end of line
Starting sign for data set II
INST; separator; Ent; separator; field name 1; separator; content field 1; end of line
INST; separator; Ent; separator; field name 2; separator; content field 2; end of line
...................
INST; separator; Ent; separator; field name n; separator; content field n; end of line
etc.
======================================================================
This structure offers the advantage that a complete data set need not be exchanged in every case, but that only some relevant fields can be transmitted without leaving the proper identification.
II,2.3 As field names the fixed CODE abbreviations have to be used (cf. sect. 3)
II,2.4 As field contents, the fixed SUBCODE abbreviations have to be used (cf. sect. 3); free text may be used in the language of the user.
II,2.5 All fields marked * in the IPH standard have to be registered with first priority.
II,2.6 All data not derived from the sheets own description but by quotations from existing descripti-ons or by exchange from another database have to be marked by the sign # at the
end of the field.

Addendum 2: International Automobile Code
Afghanistan AFG
Albania ALB
Alderney GBA
Algeria DZ
Andorra AND
Antilles (Netherlands) NA
Argentina RA
Australia AUS
Austria A
Azerbaijan AZ
Bahamas BS
Bahrain BRN
Barbados BDS
Belgium B
Belize BH
Benin DY
Bhutan BTN
Bolivia BOL
Bosnia/Herzegovina BiH
Botswana RB
Brazil BR
British Guyana BRG
Brunei BRU
Bulgaria BG
Burkina Faso BF
Burundi BI
Cabo Verde CV
Cambodia K
Cameroon CMR
Canada CDN
Central African Republic RCA
Chad TCD
Chile RCH
China (Beijing) VRC
China (Taiwan) RC
Columbia CO
Comores CO
Congo RCB
Costa Rica CR
Cuba C
Cyprus CY
Czechia CZ
Denmark DK
Djibouti DJI
Dominica (Island) WD
Dominican Republic DOM
Ecuador EC
Egypt ET
El Salvador ES
Eritrea ER
Estonia EW
Ethiopia ETH
Fidji FJI
Finland SF
France F
Gabun GAB
Gambia WAG
Georgia GE
Germany D
Ghana GH
Gibraltar GBZ
Great Britain GB
Greece GR
Grenada WG
Guatemala GCA
Guernsey GBG
Guinea GN
Guinea-Bissau GNB
Guyana GUY
Haiti RH
Honduras HN
Hong Kong HK
Hungary H
Iceland IS
India IND
Indonesia RI
Iran IR
Iraq IRQ
Ireland IRL
Israel IL
Italy I
Ivory Coast CI
Jamaica JA
Japan J
Jersey GBJ
Jordan JOR
Kazahstan KAZ
Kenya EAK
Kirghizistan KGZ
Kiribati KIR
Korea (North) DVRK
Korea (South) ROK
Kuwait KWT
Laos LAO
Latvia LV
Lebanon RL
Lesotho LS
Liberia LBR
Libya LBY
Liechtenstein FL
Lithuania LT
Luxembourg L
Macedonia MK
Madagascar RM
Malawi MW
Malaysia MAL
Maledives MV
Mali RMM
Malta M
Man GBM
Marshall Islands MH
Mauretania RIM
Mauritius MS
Mexico MEX
Micronesia FSM
Moldavia MD
Monaco MC
Mongolia MNG
Morocco MA
Mozambique MOC
Myanmar (Burma) MYA
Namibia SWA
Nauru NRU
Nepal NEP
Netherlands NL
New Zealand NZ
Newfoundland NF
Nicaragua NIC
Niger RN
Nigeria WAN
Norway N
Oman OM
Pakistan PAK
Palau PAL
Panama PA
Papua-New Guinea PNG
Paraguay PY
Peru PE
Philippines RP
Poland PL
Portugal P
Qatar Q
Romania RO
Russia RUS
Rwanda RWA
Sahara DARS
Saint Lucia WL
Saint Vincent WV
Samoa (West) WS
San Marino RSM
São Tomé STP
Sarawak SK
Saudi Arabia SA
Senegal SN
Seychelles SY
Sierra Leone WAL
Singapore SGP
Slovakia SK
Solomon Islands SLB
Somalia SP
South Africa ZA
Spain E
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) CL
St.Kitts and Nevis KN
St.Lucia WL
St.Vincent/Grenada WV
Sudan SUD
Suriname SME
Swaziland SD
Sweden S
Switzerland CH
Syria SYR
Tadjikistan TD
Tanzania EAT
Thailand THA
Togo RT
Tonga TO
Trinidad/Tobago TT
Tunisia TN
Turkey TR
Turkmenistan TMN
Tuvalu TUV
Uganda EAU
United States USA
Uruguay ROU
Vatican City V
Venezuela YV
Vietnam VN
White Russia (Belorussia) BY
Yemen YE
Yugoslavia YU
Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) CGO
Zambia Z
Zanzibar EAZ
Zimbabwe RSR

IPH Classification of Watermarks
Click <IPH Watermark Classification>. A full version of this table sorted alphabetically according to the class and sub-class denominations in English, German, French and Spanish is included in the printed four-language version of the IPH Standard, which may be ordered by mail to the Secretary of IPH






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