No 31, August 1999

No 31, August 1999

The Quarterly, No 31 - August 1999

Hand-Made Papermaking in the 1850's - Major James N Gray

This Article is taken from the Papermakers Association - Technical Section Proceedings, volume 2, published in December 1921. It was entitled "The Old Hand-Made Paper Industry" and was presented by Major James N Gray to the Aberdeen Section of the Paper-Makers Association. The lecture was illustrated by miniature wooden models of the whole plant giving practical demonstrations of the manipulation of the stock. The article is based on the original lecture and gives a detailed description of the operations of a hand-made paper-mill near Edinburgh where the author served his apprenticeship.

4 pages, illustrated

British Paper Mills: Oak Leaves and Acorns: Success and Failures at Five North Lancashire Paper Mills, part 1- Mike Malley

A dissertation written to examine the factors that could be seen to influence the developments taking place at Catterall, Matshead, Oakenclough, Higher and Lower Primrose Paper Mills between 1860 and 1920 and specifically to understand why Oakenclough alone survived the period, and to identify the causes of the others failure. Part 1 will attempt to set the scene of nineteenth century paper making and then to assess these five mills to account for success and failure in this industry.

6 pages, map, appendices

The Age of Paper

A short article on a lithographed cover for the sheet music for The Age of Paper, regularly sung by the celebrated music hall artist, Mr Howard Paul, attired in a suit of paper. At least three versions of this cover are known, but unfortunately the whereabouts of a complete set of the sheet music with both words and music are unknown. If any reader knows of such a set, would they please contact the editor.

1 page, illustrated

Seeing Blue: An Investigation of the Deterioration in JMW Turner's Blue Drawing Papers - Calvin Winner

An investigation into the blue paper used extensively by Turner during the 1820's and 1830's. Among these a significant number have subsequently suffered deterioration. Why have they discoloured and faded? Did examples survive un-faded? Was this deterioration down to the manufacture or a result of poor housekeeping? Under examination it was found that a significant amount of blue fibres had survived un-faded and were obscured by brown discolouration. This article explores some of the decision making undertaken by Conservators in deciding how best to treat these works.

7 pages, illustrated (some colour)

British Bibliography of Paper History and Watermark Studies No 6, 1998 - Peter Bower

A listing of publications and articles published in 1998 relating to paper studies, also addenda to Bibliography No 4, 1996 (see The Quarterly No 23, July 1997), and to Bibliography No 5, 1997 (see The Quarterly No 27, July 1998).

3 pages

Irish Watermarks: Hibernia Marks - Peter Bower

The links between the histories of Irish and British papermaking are very strong but sadly The Quarterly has published little on Irish papermaking history. This article on one aspect of Irish watermarking is being published in the hope that it might stimulate both research into an important area of study and add to the small store of published material on Irish papermaking and watermarking.

5 pages, illustrated

Trade Cards

Short article on a trade card issued by C Millbourn at the end of the nineteenth century and is perhaps the earliest example of an advertisement for the secure disposal of confidential papers by recycling. If anyone knows of early advertisements for the recycling of confidential or security papers, or other interesting trade cards, please contact the editor.