Description
Laid and Wove: Wire Making for the Paper Industry from the 15th to the 20th Century Part 1 – Peter Bower and Peter Northover
An account of research into wires used for early papermaking moulds, along with a description of the process of wire drawing, and details of some early craftsmen from Nuremburg who practised the art.
11 pages, 22 figures
The Grave of an Unrecorded Glasgow Papermaker – Geoffrey Day
The grave of James Russell, papermaker of Glasgow, along with those of his wife and children, circa 1798. The grave is contained within a mortuary cage, to prevent graverobbers from pillaging the site.
1 page, 2 images
From Rags to Rags: the Lives of Two Workers at Hele Paper Mill – John Hall
A biography of two women rag workers at Hele Mill, both of whom continued worked for many decades into very old age. Together they clocked-up over 130 years of employment; something that is unimaginable in today’s society.
3 pages, 7 figures
A Visit to a Paper Mill [By our own Lady Contributor]: Paper-Making a Women’s Industry – anon
A description of a visit to a paper mill by a lady, which gives a distinctly feminine perspective on its operations.
2 pages
“At the Paper Mill” – Geoffrey Day
The description ‘At the Paper Mill’ was used as an address by many Stationers, Book Sellers and Paper Merchants in the 18th Century. This article outlines a number of such establishments in and around Greater London.
3 pages, 2 figures
The British Paper Trade & the Foreign Export Duty on Rags – anon
When the UK government repealed the duty on paper in 1861, they continued to levy a duty on rag imports. UK manufacturers complained that this placed them at a disadvantage relative to their foreign competitors. This item contains a petition by a large number of paper manufacturers, which is signed with their details, which gives a snapshot of the manufacturers and their mills operating at the time (1864).
2 pages, 1 figure
The NEWS
From Q116 The NEWS became an integral part of the journal, rather than an insert. This is The NEWS No.137.
4 pages
Transmutation of Cai Lun’s Image – Yuqi Zou, Zijun Zhu, Tingting Li, Yuewei Zhu & Biao Chen
Cai Lun is known to the papermaking world as the ‘inventor’ of paper. This article, by a group of Chinese academics, looks at his wider influence in Chinese culture, and how, even today, his name is found widely in literature, theatre and other areas of the arts. It gives a more rounded description of the man who many in the paper world view as one-dimensional.
3.5 pages
Paper Lifeboats for Submarine – anon
A short description of a lifeboat design made from Japanese paper, for use in submarines, circa WWI.
0.4 pages
A Portrait of a Florentine ‘Cartolaio’ by Andrea Del Sarto (1486-1530) in the National Gallery, London – Peter Bower
The term ‘Cartalaio’ was used for a very wide range of people involved in various aspects of the paper trade. Here, the portrait of an unknown man working in this field is described.
2 pages, 5 figures
Picturing the World of Paper: Another Missing Painting – Peter Bower
An appeal to find the whereabouts of a watercolour of Hele Mill circa 1820.
1 page, 1 figure
Employees at John Dickinson’s Croxley Mills – anon
Accounts of working and social life at these major mills, including descriptions of some of the mill workers.
4 pages, 6 figures
Book Reviews – Peter Bower & Daven Chamberlain
“George West: Apprentice Papermaker to American Congressman” by Paddy Nash
“La Cartiera Miliani Proveeldora del Papel en Sudamérica (1900-1930)” by José Carlos Balmaceda
“100 Years of Kemsley Mill 1924-2024” Compiled by G Milgate, supported by A Kenward, C Marshall, J Scott and A Bowman
The Vegetable Parchment Mills (VPM). Also known as William Joynson’s Mill, St. Mary Cray Mill & Delcroix – Robin Clarke
Recollections of working at this specialised mill, including reminiscences about technical matters that are unlikely to be found anywhere else.
7 page, 15 figures
