The Quarterly No. 77 – January 2011
The 1739 Will of a Surrey Papermaker – Alan Crocker
Wills are a useful source of social history. This article describes a rare early 18th example, which details much of use to both the paper historian and the social historian.
6 pages, 7 illustrations
Celia Fiennes’ Description of her Visit to a Canterbury Paper Mill in 1697 – Dr Thea Burns
Celia Fiennes was a rather unique 17th century lady who travelled the length and breadth of the country on horseback. She was particularly interested in the industrialisation of the nation, so her diaries are a useful source for all industrial historians who want contemporary descriptions of industrial processes. Here the noted scholar Dr Thea Burns assesses what can be learnt from Celia’s description of a late 17th century English paper mill.
4 pages
Sampling the Samples – Colin Cohen
Sample books are the common way that most paper manufacturers advertise their wares, yet they are a relatively recent invention, dating from around 1855. This article takes a journey through the author’s collection of sample books, and highlights a few examples which he considers transcend mere advertising and entered the realm of trend-setting.
4 pages, 2 illustrations
A Brief History of Wiggins Teape UK Manufactories – Part 3 – The Age of Construction (1940 – 1959) – Daven Chamberlain
The third part of this series describes the major building programme that Wiggins Teape undertook after the Second World War. This was the swansong of the company, when their last great projects were planned and put into action; new mills and machines were constructed, but there were inevitable mill closures to compensate for the increased expenditure. All these changes are detailed, and many are illustrated.
5 pages, 10 illustrations
Making Antiquarian Paper in 1888 – Stephen R Hill
Antiquarian was the largest size of hand-made paper ever produced commercially. This article describes both the production process, and the mill where it was made, in the late 19th century.
3 pages, 1 illustration
Two Chapters on Bank Note Forgeries – Chapter II – Charles Dickens
Banknote forgery was a capital offence in the up till 1830. This article, the second by the celebrated author and journalist, tells the story of convicted forgers both before and after the death sentence was repealed. Most were small-time felons, but many were surprisingly competent. As ever the stories are told with Dickens’ usual dynamism and wit.
5 pages
The Papers used for the Printing of Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, by Robert Burns (1759-1796) Printing in Kilmarnock by John Wilson 1786 – Peter Bower
Robert Burns’ great book is generally reviewed with regard to the poetry it contains. This article dissects several original copies of the work, illustrating the many watermarks that can be found, and describing where these papers were manufactured.
6 pages, 8 illustrations
The Development of Watermarking: Part 2 – Clayton Beadle
Clayton Beadle was a well-known paper scientist from the turn of the 20th century. He was also a collector of watermarks, which he catalogued. This, the final part of his description of how watermarks developed, takes the story from the first English watermark to the late 19th century. His collection can still be consulted at the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester.
7 pages, 9 illustrations
The Quarterly No. 78 – April 2011
Alex. Cowan and Sons, Papermakers, Penicuik, 1779-1975: An Examination of Progress, Success, Takeover and Closure, with some Theoretical Considerations – Ying Yong Ding
The Scottish firm of Alex. Cowan and Sons was famous for its high quality fine papers. This highly detailed article describes how the business faired over almost two centuries until its closure by Reeds in 1975, just short of its bicentenary. In particular the reason for its longevity when compared with many similar competitors is explored, and the lessons that can learned are examined.
11 pages, 2 tables
Ludford Paper Mill – Daven Chamberlain
This paper mill ceased paper manufacture around 1861, since when it has been used for a number of proposes. Photographs illustrate the empty building before it was sold for housing, and the rusted shell of its water wheel.
1 page, 2 illustrations
Railways in Papermaking Part 1: Introduction – Mike Stanyon
Railways and tramways were used in a variety of manufacturing situations from the early 19th century onwards. Over time they made headway in paper mills, and were used both for delivery of raw materials to the mill, and export of finished goods from the site. This article introduces the subject, and is the first of a series planned over coming issues which will deal with mill sites, regions, and the engines themselves.
3 pages, 4 illustrations
Early Workers at Paper Bags – Charles Dickens
A short but important piece of social history by Charles Dickens Junior (son of the great author), describing the use of female and child labour in the manufacture of paper bags, and the process of hand-forming these items.
3 pages
History of Paper Test Instrumentation Part 18: Paperboard and Corrugated Board Testers – Daven Chamberlain
Heavyweight packaging grades of paper require specialist test equipment by virtue both of their high strength and multi-layer construction. This article illustrates the main test equipment used for heavyweight boards, combined with which is the unique set of apparatus used to assess the stiffness and crush strength of corrugated grades of packaging.
7 pages, 4 illustration
A Preservative Paper: Salicylic Acid, Borax, and Sodium Sulphate – James Scott
At the time of writing (1912) paper was still the foremost packaging material used to wrap foodstuffs. The author saw the wrapper as a means by which food could be preserved and its shelf life extended. To this end he devised a series of papers containing antiseptic agents, which are described in this article.
2 pages, 3 illustrations
A Sale at Standish Mills – Anon
The closure of a mill, whilst disastrous for the immediate neighbourhood, provided a useful windfall for other paper manufacturers. In this article the mill in question closed in 1884; the text describes the various items that were sold at auction, the selling price, and the mills to which equipment was transferred.
1 page
Are Rags Dangerous? – Anon
The perennial problem associated with use of old rags was disease. This article, from 1884, describes discussions undertaken with mill owners in both the UK and USA to elucidate exactly what diseases rags were supposed to carry.
2 pages
Leibig Cards – The History of Paper – Anon
In an earlier edition of The Quarterly (No.58) we published illustrations of six cards issued by the Leibig company in the early 20th century on the subject of paper manufacture. This article shows the only other series of cards issued by the company on a similar theme, which describes several writing systems that pre-date paper, before ending with a general description of hand- then machine-paper manufacture.
2 pages, 6 illustrations
Money Laundering – Daven Chamberlain
During the early 20th century the American government trialled an unusual process for prolonging the life of its banknotes. A laundry process washed dirt from the notes, then in a subsequent bath they were re-sized. The process showed some merits, until the government started to use cotton instead of linen for banknote manufacture during WWI. The article describes the process, and the machines, several of which were made before the project was discontinued in 1918.
3 pages, 3 illustrations/tables
The ‘Black’ Diaries of Sir Roger Casement (1864-1916) – Peter Bower
The enigmatic diplomat, who later became and Irish nationalist and subsequently was executed as a British traitor in 1916, was condemned in part due to the contents of these five diaries. Yet their origin and veracity has long been in question. The author was part of a team who examined the physical evidence provided by the diaries – handwriting, paper, binding, etc – in order to provide a conclusive answer to the problem. This article describes the forensic examination of the artefacts, and a detailed appendix outlines further methods that could be brought to bear on the documents should they be required.
9 pages, 11 illustrations
Dandy Roll Construction – Anon
A drawing showing the construction of both laid and wove dandy rolls from the archive of one of the foremost manufacturers of high quality watermarked papers – Wiggins Teape.
1 page, 1 illustration
Let’s Have a Party! – Simon Barcham Green
In 1960 Hayle Mill held its 150th anniversary party. This article illustrates the gathering which consisted of hand-papermakers, mainly from England and Scotland, but with several notable dignitaries from the continent.
3 pages, 3 illustrations/tables
Chartham Mill Ream Label – Anon
A beautiful illustrated ream label for “Weatherley’s Superfine Satin Post” made at Chartham Mill some time before 1852.
1 page, 1 illustration
The Quarterly No. 79 – July 2011
The Three Paper Mills of Market Drayton (1684 – 1851) – Mike Malley
Market Drayton is a small town that in the 17th – 19th centuries had a number of small paper mills. With the advent of mechanisation, this industry died. Mike Malley gives a typically well researched account of the birth and ultimate death of the industry in this small village on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border. Included in the illustrations is a very rare example of a late 18th century plan drawing of a mill building from a series of legal documents.
10 pages, 8 illustrations/tables
Railways in Papermaking Part 2: John Dickinsons – Mike Stanyon
This series continues apace with a description of railways in the various John Dickinson establishments, which included the only paper mill (Apsley) to have its own mainline station. Photographs of old steam engines complete this endearing look at industrial archaeology.
4 pages, 5 illustrations
A Run with Many Packs – Charles Dickens
This article is by the son, not the master, and describes the history, production and use of playing cards. CD jnr inherited his father’s inimitable style and ability to make the mundane fascinating, and some wonderful descriptive language abounds in this unique look at gaming cards.
4 pages
History of Paper Test Instrumentation Part 19: First Addendum to Parts 1-5 – Daven Chamberlain
The first five articles in this series date from 2005-2007; since their production the author has unearthed a number of new (and old) items of test equipment that were missed first time around. Taking a break from the series (which still has a fair way to go until completion), this detour highlights the new finds, many of which are illustrated, as usual.
4 pages, 4 illustrations
A Paper Carpet – Sidney Berger
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, paper was used in a number of applications which today seem strange. This very short article describes a paper carpet, advertised in a US newspaper of 1829.
1 page
Making Antiquarian Paper in 1888: Part 2 – Stephen R Hill
The first part of this article appeared in Quarterly 77. This second piece outlines the history of this most monumental grade of paper, until its ultimate demise in 1960. A wonderful illustration, reproduced here, shows the crew needed to manufacture paper sheets of this size by hand. Especially interesting are some of the asides which relate previously unpublished items of family history of notable staff people employed at Springfield mill.
5 pages
Paper and Crime – Vincent S Smith
A short item on forgery through the ages – from banknotes to valuable books – which is both entertaining and informative.
1 page
Irish Watermarks Identified in the Chief Secretary’s Office Registered Papers 1818-1853 – Eileen Walsh
This article is the result of a cataloguing exercise that commenced in 2008, concerning the papers described in the title. As part of the work the watermarks in the documents were examined and recorded. Among the various papers was a group of Irish manufacture. This very well illustrated article described both the papers and the mills from where they were produced.
6 pages, 14 illustrations
British Bibliography of Paper History and Watermark Studies No.18, 2010 – Peter Bower
Listing of articles concerned with papermaking history and paper conservation published in 2010.
4 pages
The Quarterly Index No 73 to 76 – Terry Wells
The index is arranged in eight categories: Articles by author; Articles by title; Book reviews; General index; Illustrations; Papermakers; Paper mills; Watermarks. The Watermarks index is further divided into those that are illustrated and those that are mentioned in the text.
10 pages
The Quarterly No. 80 – October 2011
Migration, Identity and Print Culture: Sir David Henry & the Kinleith Paper Mill – David Finkelstein & Sydney Shep
David Henry was one of the pioneers of the early twentieth century paper industry in New Zealand. He was a Scot who emigrated to start a new life; in 1935 he became the chairman of the New Zealand Forest Products company, and in 1954 he was instrumental in opening the Kinleith Paper Mill. This article discusses the mill, the town and the local community that grew up around it, the roots of which can be found based in Henry’s Scottish background.
6 pages
Early Machine Wires and Dandy Rolls – Anon
A short piece about the formation of the firm that became known as Green, Son and Waite, the famous firm of machine wire and dandy roll makers, which only closed in 2006. In particular it claims the firm made the first machine wire in 1805, and first dandy roll in 1816 – significantly earlier than Marshalls.
1 page
Railways in Papermaking Part 3: The Wye Valley – Mike Stanyon
This series continues with descriptions of Thomas & Green’s Soho Mill, based at Wooburn Green, and three mills belonging to Jackson’s Millboard & Paper Co. Ltd.: Princes Mill, Gunpowder Mill and Hedsor Mill.
2 pages, 2 illustrations
Contrasting Fortunes at the Milltown Paper Mill in the 1870s – Mike Malley
Another article about an area the author is rapidly making his own: the period in the late 19th century when many UK mills moved from private ownership to incorporation. The mill in question was sited at Ballyclare, just north of Belfast. It started making paper around 1836, and ceased in 1950, but the article concentrates upon a ten year period, commencing around 1867, during which the mill finances were reorganised. The author traces the share ownership, directorial positions, and the reasons why the firm was in liquidation by 1875, only to rise again and survive a further 75 years.
7 pages, 5 illustrations/tables
History of Paper Test Instrumentation Part 20: Box and Carton Testing – Daven Chamberlain
Most of the articles in this series have concentrated upon paper test apparatus. However, much paper and paperboard is formed into packaging, notably boxes and cartons. These require unique test apparatus designs that have hitherto not been covered in the series, but which are outlined in this article.
4 pages, 4 illustrations
Flower, Perch, Apple: The Kelmscott Press Paper as Ideology – Teri Hassel & Prof. P. Stansky
The Kelmscott Press was started by the artisan and social theorist William Morris, who believed in the power of Art to benefit Society. The egalitarian view that Morris developed is highlighted here by reference to letters showing his relationship with the papermaker Batchelor & Sons, who ran the mill at Little Chart, near Ashford, Kent. Batchelor, in collaboration with Morris, developed the high quality paper used for his many publications.
6 pages
Book Reviews:
Home Park Paper Mill at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire – Alan Penwarden
A small booklet, published by The Apsley Paper Trail, on this paper, coating, and converting mill that was once part of the Dickinson’s empire.
Folding Techniques for Designers: From Sheet to Form – Paul Jackson
A large book aimed at professional paper folders and paper artists that shows the many techniques in use to create complex sculptures.
An Album of 115 Drawings and Watercolours made in France and the Environs of London, 1765-1768 by Samuel Hieronymus Grimm (1733-1794) – Peter Bower
A detailed exposition of the papers found in this album of drawings and watercolours, which includes examples of both English and Dutch manufacture. The artist’s work is particularly interesting because it coincided with the flowering of ‘fine’ paper manufacture in England. The author describes the artist’s relationship with paper, his understanding of the medium and the effect that paper texture, tone and surface had on his work.
9 pages, 8 illustrations
Finding Bryan Donkin’s Grave – Sally & Peter Bower
The great engineer’s grave can be found in Nunhead Cemetary, South East London. This tells the story of how a cat led the authors to the site of the Donkin family vault.
1 page, 1 illustration
Hidden Traces: European Writing Paper goes to the East – Russell Jones
Many European writing papers found their way to the East, where they were used to produce manuscripts. Yet scholars of these manuscripts are often ignorant of the information that can be obtained by examination of watermarks and other surface markings. This is especially important given the fact that manuscripts were often copied verbatim, which means the manuscript may refer to a mediaeval document, but be copied upon an eighteenth or nineteenth century paper. The author calls for greater vigilance in assessing these manuscripts, and for better recording of the information contained within the paper sheet.
6 pages, 4 illustrations
William Town on Paper Duty – supplied by Catherine Wright
Contemporary account of paper duty calculation and payment by this member of a small family mill in Keighley, West Yorkshire. The author was born in 1839, and Excise duty discontinued in 1862, so the piece almost certainly describes the situation in the late 1850s or early 1860s.
1 page
R. T. Tanner & Co Ltd: The History of a Family Business – Anthony & Sarah Tanner
Most articles on the paper industry in The Quarterly refer to mills; paper merchants or stationers provide the link between manufactures and the public, and as such provide a valuable service that is relatively poorly documented. This article describes one such business, which started in London in 1877, and covers the period until the firm moved to Crayford in 1961.
5 pages, 6 illustrations