The Quarterly No. 45 – January 2003
Michelangelo's Mourning Woman: The Rediscovery of a Forgotten Drawing– Camilla Baskcomb, Peter Bower and Julian Stock
This article describes the discovery of, and subsequent investigations into, a drawing, in ink and lead white on paper, found in an album at Castle Howard, Yorkshire. The drawing is a relatively early work by Michelangelo that had somehow lost its identity and ended up mounted in an album with other drawings in the late nineteenth century. Included are comprehensive details of the techniques and results of the examination of the drawing and an appendix of backing papers and mounts used during the
eighteenth century.
12 pages, illustrated
Paper Mills on the Upper Axe in North Somerset – Brian Luker
Short article clarifying the paper making story of the mills on the first four miles of the river Axe in North Somerset. At various times there were twelve mills on this stretch of river, six of which were at some time paper mills.
1 page, table
Olive & Partington, Papermakers of Glossop, part two – Richard Hills
Continuation of this companies involvement in papermaking, including the development of sulphite chemical wood pulp and the Barrow Chemical Wood Pulp Company. The partnership also owned Turn Lee and Dover Mills, details of the machinery and papers produced are given for the late nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century. In 1943 one of the spherical boiling pans at Turn Lee exploded, full details of which can be found in The Quarterly No. 8.
7 pages, illustrated
Coloured Papers – Peter Bower
The colour and tone of any sheet of paper is dependant upon many variables. This article details the various methods of obtaining colour in paper and goes on to examine, and illustrate, the colours produced by the use of various dyes when using different pulp and raw material types.
4 pages, illustrated
The Cambridge Papers (part one)
The History of a Dandy Roll – Alan Crocker
The dandy roll presses on wet paper near the end of the machine, closing up the fibres and may also be used to impress patterns and watermarks into the surface of the paper. This article provides an account of the history of a dandy roll manufactured in 1951, details of modifications during its working life, and how it ended up in the hands of the author. Details of the technical aspects involved in the construction of the roll are also provided.
5 pages, illustrated
Conservation of the Burton Constable Moving Picture Device- Stephen Allen
Details of the examination and conservation of what had been described as "an eighteenth century erotic device made of paper, wood and metal". The object consists of a wooden frame holding 28 vertical wooden struts with paper strips of prints attached to them. By rotating a key shaft each of six pictures could be viewed in turn. The article gives a comprehensive account of the conservation work involved in the taking apart and reconstruction of the object.
5 pages, illustrated
The Paper Record: Phormium Tenax and New Zealand Papermaking – Dr Sidney J Shep
A comprehensive account of how the discovery of the wide range of applications for which flax was utilised by the Maori led to its development as a papermaking fibre during the nineteenth century. Much effort and finance was expended in attempting to develop the use of the fibre commercially, but the enterprise was eventually abandoned owing to lack of government initiatives and difficulties in extracting the fibre. However, it is still utilised by hand papermakers, with the papers used by fine
letterpress printers, hand bookbinders and makers of artists books.
15 pages, illustrated
The Quarterly No. 46 – May 2003
William McMurray or Don Guillermo: Wireworker, Papermaker, Espartero, part one: Wireworking in Scotland and Papermaking in England– Alan Crocker and Javier Castillo Fernández
An account of the business activities of William McMurray (1806-87). He was a wireworker in Scotland, his company becoming successful in supplying paper mills all over the world with machine wires. He also became a papermaker, a stationer and a newspaper proprietor. In 1847 he moved to south-east England where he owned four paper mills. Much of the paper was made from esparto, grown in south-east Spain where he held licences to gather esparto, he processed the grass in Spain and exported it to Britain in his own ships.
7 pages, illustrated
Trip to Xiangzhigou (Burning Paper Valley), Guizhou Province, China – NGD Robertson
Account of a visit to this unique hand papermaking industry in China. The author recounts the lengthy journey needed to reach the villages where the paper was made and the processes involved in converting the bamboo into saleable paper. The paper has two main uses: absorbent tissue and as paper money for burning when visiting dead ancestors and relatives. With the penetration of western papermaking businesses into China the industries future is uncertain.
4 pages, illustrated
William Balston's in-laws: The Valance Family – Ian Dye
William Balston was married to Catherine Vallance in 1806, she was the daughter of stationer Thomas Vallance who, in 1807, became Master of the Stationers Company. This article traces the papermaking and stationery company activities of Catherine Vallance's family – her father and three brothers – between 1760 and 1857 at several papermills in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, in the family stationery business in London, at the pinnacle of the trade as Master Stationer, and later in the
depths of despair in the bankruptcy court.
7 pages, tables
William Cobbett and his Cornstalk Paper – Armin Renker (with introduction and notes by Alan Crocker)
This article on William Cobbett was first published in Amor Librorum, Erasmus Antiquariat, 1958, and was reprinted in The Paper Maker, volume 28, 1959, number 1, pages 23-30. However, the title may be misleading as Cobbett stated that his paper was made from the husks of his corn and not the stalks, the article is reproduced with no alterations except that some end-notes have been provided.
5 pages, illustrated
Book Reviews
Eynsford Paper Mill. By WG Duncombe.
Works of Art on Paper:books, documents and photographs; techniques and conservation. Edited by Vincent Daniels, Alan Donnithorne and Perry Smith.
Paper Mills at Hayfield, Derbyshire – Richard Hills
Notes providing additional information to those provided by Tanya Schmoller in The Quarterly, No 9, January 1994 on paper mills in this area.
2 pages
Papering a Kite
Andrew Honey has sent us this delightful extract from Master Michael Angelo, The Drawing School for Little Masters and Misses […] to which are added The Whole Art of Kite Making. London: Printed for T Carnan, 2nd Edition, 1774. pp 60-62 [Michael Angelo is a pseudonym sometimes attributed to Richard Johnson]
"The papering of a kite is a matter which requires no great share of genius or attention; and, supposing your paper and paste are of the proper sort, you can hardly do wrong: However, a few directions, even in this part of the work, may not be amiss.
Take as many sheets of fine writing post-paper as you may think will be wanting for your purpose, and lay them between damp linen; for it is a great fault, though frequently committed by young artists, to use dry paper, as the kite will thereby always be full of wrinkles; whereas, when it is made with damp paper, it will always be perfectly smooth and tight. The best paste for your purpose is either that sold at shops for the use of shoe-makers, or such as is made in the following manner: Put a little water into a sauce-pan, and place it on the fire. While that is heating, beat up a large spoonful of flour in a little cold water in a bason, observing to break all the lumps of flour, and to make it quite smooth. When the water boils, pour this into it, keeping it constantly stirring; and, when you think it has boiled to a sufficient thickness, pour into a bason, and there let it stand to cool for use.
When your paper and paste are thus prepared, provide yourself with a table full as large as your kite. Spread your paper on the table, and paste so many sheets together, as will be sufficient to cover your kite. Then lay your kite on the table, and cut off your paper to the size of it, leaving an inch for turning in round the bender and lower strings. Cut notches at the end of your paper, that they may turn over the more readily, and hold the stronger. All this should be done as quick as possible, that
the paper may not have time to dry before the operation is finished.
Having proceeded thus far, you must next place on the bandages, which are pieces of paper, each about an inch broad, and two inches long, which are designed to fasten the straighter and the braces of the bender. […] Your kite being thus far finished, you must put in some shady place to dry, but by no
means in the sun, or near afire, both which dry it too fast, and often make it warp."
The Cambridge Papers (part two)
Rembrandt's European Printing Papers at the Fitzwilliam Museum: A Study made in 1997 – Bryan Clarke
The vast majority of Rembrandt's etchings were printed on white laid paper originating from France, Switzerland and Germany and it is the study of these and their watermarks that provides most information about the different print editions and those ones made posthumously. The study of his printing papers can add significantly to knowledge of his working methods whilst enabling authentication of etchings made during his lifetime. This article gives a detailed account of some of the results of the study.
9 pages, illustrated, appendix
Flong – Barry Watson
Flong is used a moulding medium in the production of stereo-type printing plates. This short article details the terminology, history and techniques in the production and use of the material.
4 pages, illustrated
Devon Valley Industries, PM5 – Phil Crockett
A summary of a major expansion project to put a new paper machine in at Devon Valley Mill which entailed demolishing an older area of the mill. The site has been in use since 1765 with the first machine being installed in 1823. Since the end of the nineteenth century all the major mill extensions have had plaques built in to the walls stating the date that work was performed.
NB During this project a 'time capsule' was found, details in The Quarterly, No 43, July 2002.
15 pages, illustrated
The Taxation of Paper – Harry Dagnall
Article on the taxation of paper produced in Britain based on the author's book The Taxation of Paper in Great Britain 1643-1861. The subject of taxation on imported paper is not covered as it is too complicated to be covered in one short article. Taxation on paper began as a 5% purchase tax in 1643, going through several changes in the legislation and ended in 1861 with the abolishment of both Excise and Customs Duties on paper.
4 pages, illustrated, tables
The Quarterly No. 47 – July 2003
Paper-mills and Paper-makers in Wales 1700-1900: part one – Alun Eirug Davies
A survey of the evidence for paper-mills and paper-makers in Wales reprinted from the National Library of Wales Journal, Vol. XV, Summer 1967. This first part covers the counties of Brecknockshire; Caernarvonshire; Carmarthenshire; Denbighshire and Flintshire.
9 pages, tables
Edward Lhuyd and Asbestos Paper – Brian H Davies
Edward Lhuyd is perhaps best known for his contributions to Welsh, Celtic and other cultures as a botanist, geologist, antiquary and philologist, fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, and second keeper of the Ashmolean Museum. However, paper historians should also remember him as a pioneer in the development of making paper from asbestos as an alternative to linen.
2 pages, illustrated
British Paper Mills: Carmarthen Paper Mill – Terry Wells
The owner of this mill, the Rev David Charles, was better known for his activities as a Calvinistic Methodist minister, hymn-writer and rope-maker. He was succeeded by his son, David, in 1834. This article is a short account of the existence of this mill for around sixty years from the end of the eighteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century.
3 pages, illustrated
British Bibliography of Paper History and Watermark Studies No 10, 2002 – Andrew Honey
Listing of articles concerned with papermaking published in 2002, with addenda to Bibliography No 9, 2001.
3 pages
OWP Pasteboard
Illustration of the verso of a sheet of pasteboard produced by the O.W. Paper & Arts Co. Ltd. for painting in watercolour.
1 page
Index to The Quarterly Nos 41-44 – Terry Wells
The index is arranged in nine categories: Articles by author; Articles by title; Book reviews; General index; Illustrations; Papermakers; Paper mills; Tipped-in paper samples; Watermarks. The Watermarks index is further divided into those that are illustrated and those that are mentioned in the text.
14 pages
The Cambridge Papers (part three)
St Neots and the Paper Industry – B Rowland
The mill at St Neots has a history of around five hundred years, however, it is from 1804 when the mill was leased to a firm of papermakers consisting of Henry & Sealy Fourdrinier and John Gamble that it becomes of interest to paper historians. The mill is considered with having the first successful commercial continuous papermaking machine, installed in 1807. This article outlines the history of the mill from 1804 to date. There is also a brief history of The Samuel Jones Company, famous for the Camberwell Beauty trade mark, in an appendix.
6 pages, illustrated, appendix
Forgery and Fraud: The Part Paper has Played in Some Recent Cases – Peter Bower
A discussion of two cases: a group of supposed nineteenth century watercolours, and $1.2 billion worth of US Treasury Bonds that weren't. The article covers the physical investigation, interpretation of the findings, techniques used by the forgers and emphasises the importance of background research and of collaboration between investigators. Other areas covered include some of the basic dynamics of forging including one of the most important elements of a 'successful' forgery, the manipulation of the victim by the forger
11 pages, illustrated
The Conservation of a 16th Century Wall Map – Penny Jenkins
Early wall maps are extremely rare and relatively little is known about them. This article details the project to conserve and restore a large 16th Century Italian wall map, printed by Mathio Pagano after a drawing by Giovanni Domenico Zorzi. This also gave the opportunity to examine the Northern Italian papers and to gain some insight into how these maps were produced. The author also gives an introduction to exactly what are wall maps.
7 pages, illustrated
The Quarterly No. 48 – December 2003
Paper-mills and Paper-makers in Wales 1700-1900: part two – Alun Eirug Davies
A survey of the evidence for paper-mills and paper-makers in Wales reprinted from the National Library of Wales Journal, Vol. XV, Summer 1967. This second part covers Glamorgan and Pembrokeshire and has, as an appendix, the interviews from Turkey Mill, Wrexham, taken for the Children's Employment Commission – House of Commons Papers 1843.
7 pages, appendix
William McMurray or Don Guillermo: Wireworker, Papermaker, Espartero, part two: Esparto in Spain and McMurray's Legacy– Alan Crocker and Javier Castillo Fernández
An account of the business activities of William McMurray (1806-87). He was a wireworker in Scotland, his company becoming successful in supplying paper mills all over the world with machine wires. He also became a papermaker, a stationer and a newspaper proprietor. In 1847 he moved to south-east England where he owned four paper mills. Much of the paper was made from esparto, grown in south-east Spain where he held licences to gather esparto, he processed the grass in Spain and exported it
to Britain in his own ships.
9 pages, illustrated
More Heath Robinson
In The Quarterly No 44, November 2002, we published two of the three images produced by W Heath Robinson for the German papermaker Zerkall in the 1930s. This set of images was also used with English captions by the American Hurlbut Paper Company. Another English language set has
been sent in with different captions, recently found in the Barcham Green Archives. The picture illustrated here is the third image of the sequence "Dried by Air". This is the fifth of Heath Robinson's papermaking illustrations we have published (see The Quarterly No 42, May 2002) but there are believed to be at least two and possibly more images still unaccounted for. If any reader knows of these please contact the Association, particularly if they know the whereabouts of any of Heath Robinson's original drawings for these illustrations.
1 page, illustrated
Manchester Conference 1998
It's Only Wallpaper – Christine Woods
A romp through the history of the production and use of wallpaper from the fifteenth century to the present day, illustrated with examples from the collection held at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. Wallpapers are amongst the most ephemeral of products and do not survive as other domestic
objects do. Therefore it is not surprising that there few collections of historic wallpaper. However, the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester has the largest collection of wallpapers outside London, ranking second in size and scope to the national collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
10 pages, illustrated
Manchester Conference 1998
The Contradictory Case of 'Machine Hand Made Paper' – Jean Stirk
A discussion of the growing concern in the early 1900s about the threat to the hand made paper trade of imitations which led the relevant trade union to petition the Board of Trade. The union was particularly agitated about the use of the term 'Machine Hand-Made' by certain paper manufacturers and stationers in their advertisements. As an end note it is noted that despite the competition the best quality hand-made paper continued to be made in England until 1987.
3 pages
Paper-Making in Swansea – Bernice Cardy
Account of the 100 years or so of production of paper in the Swansea area of south Wales from the early eighteenth century to the first part of the nineteenth century. Production was concentrated into three mills, Kidwelly, Melin Mynach and Cadle, all of which had probably closed by the 1830s.
3 pages
British Paper Mills: White Hall Mills, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire – Richard Hills
Supplementary notes to those in the article 'Some Notes on Derbyshire Mills' published in The Quarterly No 9, January 1994.
1 page
Some Notes on Abbey Mill, Greenfield – Richard Hills
Summary history of this north Wales mill from the late seventeenth century to the late twentieth century. The mill was purchased in 1854 by Grosvesnor Chater and run by them until the 1980s. In the article is a list of the watermarks and trade names used in the 1930s.
7 pages, illustrated
Sale Notices
Local Newspapers can be a very useful source of information on individual paper mills. The Sale Notice advertising the auction of the equipment at Welham Mill illustrated in the journal comes from the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent of 13 December 1864. Readers are invited to send in examples of sale notices of papermills with inventories.
1 page
The Picturesque Paper Mill: Danger Within – Ian Dye
The author explores the hazards of the paper mill and papermaking showing the lot of the papermaker is not necessarily a happy one. Accidents with machinery were commonplace but buildings collapsing and drowning also take their toll. Innocent bystanders were not exempt, including one hapless chap run over
by a wagon of paper.
2 pages
North Wales Paper Mills in the Early Nineteenth Century: Some Addenda – Philip Henry Jones
Supplementary information to Alan Eurig Davies' articles on Welsh papermaking in this journal and The Quarterly No 47, July 2003. Additional notes on Caernarvonshire, Flintshire and Denbighshire mills.
3 pages