Just a tiny few lines about………Paper.
I do love to find really old paper to write on. Also hand made papers too. Local Machynlleth and Aberystwyth Charity Shops send little gem discoveries from time to time. I’ve bought some amazing Khadi paper journalling or for writing or painting (art) Khadi books for a few pounds. Hand made in India from cotton rags it is an amazing medium to write on for fountain pens. It has no floral, petal, leaf, etc inherent.
This Asara flower imbedded Indus paper isn’t decades old and probably recent. Made in Nepal. Asara has many meanings. Usually based on design I love the ‘tears’ connection. It was 75p for four sheets of A4. Original price was £4.99 for five sheets. But reading the information on the red binder part in the photograph below? Worth it. Also some information on hand made paper and it’s 2000 year history here too by Hubbe and Bowden. I looked at the ‘Download PDF’ and bookmarked for more reading later. It’s a long 57 page review paper. Link at bottom of abstract.
HANDMADE PAPER: A REVIEW OF ITS HISTORY, CRAFT, AND SCIENCE
Martin A. Hubbe, Cindy Bowden
Abstract
For over 2000 years the manual craft of papermaking has been practiced all over the world utilizing a variety of techniques. This review describes the evolution of hand papermaking and its cultural significance. Paper’s evolution has been shaped by the structure and chemical composition of the fibers. Almost every aspect of modern papermaking technology has been foreshadowed by traditional practices. Such practices were passed down for many generations within families of papermakers. The main sources of cellulosic fiber evolved as the ancient craft migrated from its birthplace in China to Korea and Japan, the Islamic world, and then to Europe and America. Though most paper made today comes from automated, continuous production systems, handmade paper has enjoyed a resurgence, both as a traditional craft and as an art-form. In addition, traditional papermaking methods can provide insights to help in modern applications involving cellulosic fibers.
Writing on it with inherent fragile petals, leaves, etc. is difficult. I bought similar paper from the local Ian Snow shop decades upon decades ago. When Ian Snow was less eclectic. We called it the Hippy Shop. Now it’s more a tourist shop and has lost it’s intimacy. Old paper is usually book bound. Smells old too usually. That fusty kept in an airless cupboard and found after decades. Books for recording essential book keeping ideals from old quiet hush your breath offices now closed down. Found in an old wooden drawer or two. Or an old green or grey metal filing system rusting at the seams and rivets.
I tend to use hand made paper often for special lyrics or poems. I actually need get my act together and sort them out and then bind them with naive string work inside hard back covering.
Please tap on individual photographs to enlarge.
Gray Summers 
Very intriguing, Gray, you have mentioned your love of handmade paper (including old wal paper) as a journal medium many times. So now I am looking into giving Khadi paper a try. Have you made your own? How do you use repurposed wallpaper? I would think glue and paste would gum up the pen (LOL).
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Hi Danny. Lining paper has been described as pure paper. It is for poor walls and can be bought in different thickness grades. It goes between the wall and the paper to be decorated. Picked this up.
‘CONVENTIONAL LINING PAPER
Put simply, conventional lining paper is made of pure paper. When it comes into contact with the adhesive, it will expand because it gets wet and then shrink when it dries. Because of this, it has to be soaked with the adhesive for a recommended amount of time before being hung on the walls’.
I’m not sure if some are ‘ready pasted’ akin to some wallpapers. That would mean glue involved. Khadi is ideal for my writing style and makes nib to paper contact a very tactile experience. The Khadi site says it does have some additional finish and therefore ink sits wet for a longer time. I suppose it’s worth a Google searching. Here’s an explanatory site.
https://coveryourwall.co.uk/blogs/cyw-blog/lining-paper-faqs
I know you need to look after your nibs. I’ve written on lining paper with purpose for a long time. It may be that nibs have picked up some stuff. But they always write ok. Maybe try some dip nibs or a very inexpensive fountain pen that are cheaper than your lovely gold nibs, etc. and see what you think. All the best.
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