History of the Book - Hand Press Period, 1450-1800

Paper: Paper predates printing by almost 1,400 years, originating in China in A.D. 105.  Papermaking came to Spain in 1150, to Italy in 1276, to Germany in 1390, to England in 1495, and to Philadelphia in 1695.  In Europe and the United States, handmade paper was made from linen and cotton rags which were beaten in water to produce a smooth, milky pulp.  The papermaker would then dip a wooden-framed wire tray into the vat, pulling it up to let the water drain through the screen mesh.  As the water would drain away, the vatman would gently shake the tray, allowing the matted fibers to interlock and form a sheet of paper.  Paper was made in various sizes, depending on the size of the tray.

Handmade Paper

Handmade Paper at the Richard de Bas Mill, France (2:57 sec)

Traditional Paper Making Process at the Richard de Bas Mill, France (2:15 sec)

Hand Papermaking at the University of Iowa's Center for the Book (11:42 sec)

Papermaking by hand at Hayle Mill, England in 1976 (15:18 sec)

William Rittenhouse - Paper Industry in America (2:23 sec)