The Quarterly No 85 – January 2013
Paste and Scale Board Makers in the Late Georgian Period – Mike Malley
Board manufacture was very much a Cinderella occupation compared with production of paper; nevertheless it was practiced widely and was a necessary raw material for a large number of packaging enterprises. This detailed article describes the board makers listed on an 1837 Excise document, and contains much information on the various uses to which the boards were put, including: button manufacture; hat box making; and bookbinding.
9.5 pages, 3 illustrations and 2 tables
Loch Leven and the River Leven: A Landscape Transformed – David Munro
A short account of the effect that local landowners and industrialists (which included paper manufacturers) had on the Loch Leven area. This article is a summary of a presentation given by the author at the 2012 Annual Conference, and provides an introduction to a book he has written on the subject (copies of which can still be obtained from the author – details are included at the end of the article.)
2 pages, 3 illustrations
The Origins of Eskmills – Ewen Jardine
Another article from the 2012 Annual Conference, dealing with the development of paper manufacture at Eskmills, which includes a description of the industrial espionage undertaken prior to the mill being built (originally as a textile manufactory.) After transferring to paper, notable names associated with the site include William Burke (of Burke and Hare fame) and James Haig, owner of a famous distillery. The article contains a detailed exposition of the mill development and is a fine example of history writing at its best.
7 pages, 6 illustrations
A Mill on the Darent – Charles Dickens
The great author muses upon a paper manufactory in Dartford, with flights of fancy invoking the history of paper production in the area and the origin of paper fibres sharing the page with a fanciful description of the papermaking process.
2 pages
From Rags to Riches: A Social History of Paper – Anne Willitts
A third article from the 2012 Annual Conference, which takes as its theme the many uses to which paper has been put over the years. We are used to reading ‘social’ history from a human perspective, but this article turns the genre upon its head and describes life from the perspective of paper.
9 pages, 5 illustrations
Mental Mechanics – Jack Lord
The final article from the Edinburgh Conference of 2012, which describes a narrow corridor of time, almost exactly a century ago, at which point paper machine engineers worked on the task of paper mill electrification. The author is an engineer, and describes the various problems that had to be overcome before paper machinery could be powered by electrical motors, rather than by steam power.
2.5 pages, 8 illustrations
Bleaching of Coloured Rags, 1792 – Mr Hector Campbell
Specification of the patent granted to Mr. Hector Campbell for his method of bleaching rags using chlorine.
1 page
A Brief History of Wiggins Teape UK Manufactories Part 4 – Merger and Decline (1960-1990) – Daven Chamberlain
The final part of a series based upon company history that started in Quarterly No.75. This part deals with the final years of Wiggins Teape, up to the point when they merged with Arjomarie Prioux. A final appendix describes the fate of those mills that continued to operate past 1990, bringing their history up to date at the point of publication.
5 pages, 4 illustrations
Papyrus, Parchment and Paper. Part 2. Early Writing Materials in the West: Papyrus – Richard L Hills
The serialisation of this ‘book’ continues with a description of the development and manufacture of papyrus, probably the most important predecessor of paper. The manufacturing process is described in detail, along with observations on how this changed during its 5000 year history.
6 pages, 3 illustrations
Some Personal Recollections of Philip Kerrigan – Alan Crocker
A memorial to Philip Kerrigan was an artisan printer and publisher, and member of BAPH, who died in late 2012.
1.5 pages, 1 illustration
Lost and Found: Part 2 – Head Weir Mill, Exeter – Daven Chamberlain
The second of this mini-series, identifying the site of a former paper mill that is now a thriving restaurant, next to the picturesque River Exe.
0.5 pages, 2 illustrations
The Quarterly No 86 – April 2013
Watermarks and Countermarks Found on Returned Letter Wrappers of the British Post Office: Makers and Mills – Robert B Galland, Ken Snelson and Peter Bower
In the 18th and 19th century, undelivered letters were dealt with by the Dead Letter Offices in London, Edinburgh and Dublin. In order to return these letters to the sender they were sealed in a new wrapper and re-addressed. This article contains an assessment of the papers used to produce these wrappers. Forty papers are described, with either a watermark or countermark from each being reproduced, making this an exceptionally well-illustrated article.
10 pages, 48 illustrations and 1 table
Palm Paper: Investment in King’s Lynn – Dr Wolfgang Palm
Dr Palm is head of the company that invested £400M to start a new paper mill in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, in 2009. This short item is a verbatim transcription of a speech given by Dr Palm at a paper industry management event in 2012, and it contains hitherto unpublished information about the decision to site the mill in Norfolk, and of hostile attempts by a rival company to halt the development.
1 page
Scottish Papermakers and the First Fourdrinier Machines in America – Ewen Jardine
In 1827 two experienced Scottish papermakers decamped to America in order to start the first Fourdrinier machine in that continent. This article describes the background to their decision, and what happened to these early enterprises.
7.5 pages, 3 illustrations
Lost and Found: Part 3 – Langford Mill, Bedfordshire – Daven Chamberlain
A short article identifying the site of the only Bedfordshire paper mill, which was converted in to flats during the late 20th century.
0.5 pages, 1 illustration
Humour in the Paper Mill: Sandoz Cartoons Part 2
Two further cartoons from the illustrator E. Noak, produced for Sandoz Ltd in the 1950s. Both take as their subject manufacture of paper by hand.
Papyrus, Parchment and Paper. Part 3. Early Writing Materials in the West: Other Materials – Richard L Hills
Chapter three of this major new series, with describes early writing materials. This edition takes as its subject the manufacture and use of leather and parchment as carriers of written information.
4 pages, 1 illustration
Glossary of Paper Grades
A series of technical definitions of unusual paper grades given in The Stationers’ Handbook of 1886.
1 page
Digital Printing – Processes, Papers and Problems – Daven Chamberlain
This article outlines the major commercialised digital printing processes, and describes some of the paper properties required for each to work. Although taking as its basis a conference presentation made in 2007, the article contains up to date information and includes the most recent digital process to be developed – Nanography – which was unveiled in 2012 and is due to achieve full commercial operation in 2014.
5 pages, 3 illustrations
Devon Valley Mill Diary – J Ewart
The author worked at Devon Valley paper mill during the interwar period, until after WWII had ended. The diary entries describe how the mill developed in the post-WWI period, the changes made in the interwar years, and the difficulties experienced operating the mill during WWII. Such detailed contemporary accounts are rare and give a vivid account of life in a small, specialist paper mill, during the first half of the twentieth century.
9 pages, 3 illustrations
Hand Finishing of Chinese Burning Paper – Photos: Neil Robertson, Text: Daven Chamberlain
Manufacture of ceremonial paper in China is far less common nowadays than it once was. The illustrations in this short piece show how such paper is cut and finished by hand. The photographs were taken during the last decade and illustrate contemporary equipment and techniques in one village in Guizhou province.
1.5 pages, 9 illustrations
The Story of a Bank-Note – Charles Dickens
Banknotes held a special fascination for Dickens, as can be seen from the number of articles we have reproduced in previous editions of the journal. This time, our guide describes their production at Laverstoke mill and subsequent printing.
4 pages
The Quarterly No 87 – July 2013
Trew’s Weir Paper Mills, Exeter – John Pitts
Part potted history and part reminiscence about this old Exeter manufactory, by the son of the last person to operate the mill. The author worked at the mill over a number of years, and relates many interesting snippets about its recent history, and ultimate demise following his father’s death.
5.5 pages, 2 illustrations
Some Old Newspapers – Richard L Hills
The author’s grandfather collected a number of old Kentish newspapers from the period 1783-1803. This article gives an analysis of the different paper qualities used to produce these late Georgian publications.
1.5 pages
PM11: Inspiration The Story of an Art Installation at SAICA’s New Paper Mill – Julie Dodd
In January 2012 the new SAICA paper mill at Partington, Manchester, commenced operation; however, it was not until April 2013 that it was inaugurated officially. At this ceremony an art installation was unveiled, inspired both by the paper mill and the papermaking process. This article, by the artist, describes its inspiration, and the materials used in its production.
2 Pages, 5 illustrations
From Hopton Wafers to Broughton In Furness: The Story of a Bi-Coloured Label – Mike Malley
Whilst researching another article about the paper industry, the author came across this ream label from paper produced at Hopton Wafers mill in Shropshire. This article describes the label, and gives some basic history about the mill in question.
1.5 pages, 1 illustration
Recovering a Document Important to Railway History – Stephen Allen
This article outlines a talk given by the author at the Spring Meeting in London, 2013. It describes research to date a wooden plank used to produce a hut, by identifying scraps of printed paper left adhering to the plank surface under layers of whitewash. The building in question has significance as regards railway history, and was believed to be a rare example of a navvy hut.
2.5 pages, 5 illustrations
Papyrus, Parchment and Paper. Part 4. Early Writing Materials in the East – Richard L Hills
The story of early writing materials continues with an examination of the use of leaves, wood and cloth, bamboo and tapa.
5 pages, 4 illustrations
Humour in the Paper Mill: Sandoz Cartoons Part 3
Two further cartoons from the illustrator E. Noak, produced for Sandoz Ltd in the 1950s. Both take as their subject manufacture of paper by machine.
2 pages, 2 illustrations
History of Paper Test Instrumentation Part 25 – Printing and Printability Testers – Daven Chamberlain
To date the series has concentrated mainly upon different property tests for paper and boards. The instruments in this part are all dedicated to assessing the suitability of paper and board for printing. The devices described include proofers, which allow ink to be applied to paper and board under controlled conditions; ink drying and ink rub testers, which assess important end performance criteria; quality assessment testers; and ink testers, that measure basic ink properties without reference to paper or board.
8 pages, 5 illustrations
Mystery of the Dutch Drawing’s Paper – Tatyana Duval
A new drawing, recently purchased by Cornell University, was subjected to a number of tests in an attempt to identify the artist. At the time of purchase it was attributed to Jacques de Gheyen II (1565-1629). This article describes the methodology undertaken to assess the true provenance of the drawing.
5.5 pages, 8 illustrations
Vallis Clausa – A Working Paper Mill & Museum – Don Wiltshire
Vallis Clausa is one of a large number of paper museums in France. This short article describes a short visit made by the author to the site in 2004.
0.5 pages, 2 illustrations
The Quarterly Index Nos 81 to 84 – 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 Bad Composition of Modern Paper
A diatribe on the state of ‘modern’ paper from 1824, written soon after the introduction of machine paper manufacture.
1 page
The Quarterly No 88 – October 2013
Art paper supply in Melbourne, Australia 1940 – 90 – Louise Wilson
A well-researched article describing the import of artists’ paper to Australia over much of the second half of the twentieth century. In particular the article describes the various Australian merchants engaged in this business.
7.5 pages, 4 illustrations
Lost and Found: Part 4 Papeterie de Valvire, Saint-Lô, Normandy – Daven Chamberlain
A short item detailing the visible remains of a paper mill in France.
0.5 pages, 1 illustration
"A material pleasant to work on" Cornelius Varley’s Use of Paper – Peter Bower
This highly detailed article described the wide variety of papers used by Cornelius Varley (1781-1873) over his exceptionally long working life. In particular it shows how the papers used in his later career bear little resemblance to those he used when young. The many illustrations include those showing watermarks, aspects of his work, and surface scans showing the texture of the different papers he used.
17.5 pages, 31 illustrations
Humour in the Paper Mill: Sandoz Cartoons Part 4
The final two cartoons from the illustrator E. Noak, produced for Sandoz Ltd in the 1950s. Both take as their subject manufacture of paper by machine.
2 pages, 2 illustrations
History of Paper Test Instrumentation Part 26: First Addendum to Parts 11 – 24 – Daven Chamberlain
An addendum to this series outlining new findings in the areas of instrumentation designed to measure: Fold Strength, Wet Strength, Stiffness, Board Testing and Pulp Analysis.
3.5 pages, 5 illustrations
Watermarking at Fabriano c.1900
Photograph of women working in the watermarking department at Fabriano c.1900.
0.5 pages, 1 illustration
A Visit to a Famous Firm of Felt Manufacturers: Kenwood Mills, Albany, New York, U.S.A. – S Chas Phillips
A detailed and well-illustrated account of a visit made by the illustrious editor of The Paper Maker and British Paper Trade Journal to this major US felt manufacturer in 1913. The manufacturing process is described in detail, and is amply complimented by the numerous photographs.
6.5 pages, 11 illustrations
Intent on their Work
Photograph showing two women sewing security watermarks at Fabriano, Italy, c.1930s.
0.5 pages, 1 illustration
Papyrus, Parchment and Paper. Part 5. The First Paper – Richard L Hills
The story of early writing materials continues with the early development of paper in China. This part of the story outlines some of the early raw materials used, in addition to which some of the present-day papermaking practices in China, seen on visits in 2002 and 2004, are described.
4.5 pages
Book Reviews:
Papermaking and Printing in Cumbria 1600-1900 – John Gavin
Published by BAPH, this is the seminal work on paper history in Cumbria.
Bum Fodder – an absorbing history of toilet paper – Richard Smyth
An amusing, irreverent and scatological history of how toilet paper was developed.
Minerals in Paper Manufacturing – Dr. Mahendra Patel
A comprehensive technical work on the use of pigments in the modern paper industry.
Micro and Nano Technology in Paper Manufacturing – Dr. Mahendra Patel
The first technical work to describe in detail the use of nano-technology in the modern paper industry.
Ceramics in Paper Manufacturing – Dr. Mahendra Patel
A unique work, detailing the importance of ceramics to the modern paper industry.
Paper: An Elegy – Ian Sansom
An unusual look at the development and importance of paper to the modern world.
Silt Road: The Story of a Lost River – Charles Rangeley-Wilson
A touching evocation of the River Wye in Buckinghamshire, on which the paper industry operated for over three hundred years.
The Watermills of Buckinghamshire: a 1930s account – Stanley Freese
A recently-published seminal work on the history of watermills in Buckinghamshire, with a host of period photographs.