Two-sheet papermaking mould.

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Title

Two-sheet papermaking mould.

Coverage

[Wookey Hole, England],

Date

ca. 1900.

Subject

Gift of Calvin P. Otto.

Description

This two-sheet papermaking mould, also referred to as a “divided mould,” allowed Western papermakers to create two single sheets of paper simultaneously. Introduced in Holland before the 18th century, these moulds allowed two sheets of paper to be made at once. Although they greatly increased the number of sheets produced, they were challenging for vatmen to use. The size of the paper made was limited both to how far a vatman’s arms could stretch and to the size of the vat itself. In Asia, larger floating moulds used in streams and rivers were common.

Source

From the collection of Rare Book School