We Didn't Always Get Paper From Trees - Historical Writing Series Part 3

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
  • A special thanks to Brian Allison for sharing the expertise with us!
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ความคิดเห็น • 635

  • @LaurenMiddleton28
    @LaurenMiddleton28 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1161

    That guy is definitely a 500 year old Vampire..

    • @IsaacNewton1966
      @IsaacNewton1966 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Lauren Middleton
      Well duh! lol

    • @Nick-hw4gd
      @Nick-hw4gd 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      Looks like Detlaff from The Witcher

    • @steves8474
      @steves8474 4 ปีที่แล้ว +77

      @@Nick-hw4gd he kind of resembles Ted Cruz

    • @teufeldritch
      @teufeldritch 4 ปีที่แล้ว +69

      He certainly has the look of a 1950's leading man. Very handsome. Could easily see him in a old black & white vampire movie.

    • @jayb9687
      @jayb9687 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      lmao :)

  • @myperspective5091
    @myperspective5091 4 ปีที่แล้ว +351

    For the next step you could talk about how people kept their papers safe and dry when they transported their papers. Talk about carrying cases official and non-official and a little about how people would have also done so on sailing ships maybe.

    • @BrianA-dq7gv
      @BrianA-dq7gv 4 ปีที่แล้ว +73

      Funny you should mention this. It turns out iron gall ink and linen (or cotton) paper is quite resistant to moisture. Not bulletproof, but close enough. In my own hometown of Nashville, there's a story that the papers of one of the founders of the city - John Donelson - were dropped into the Cumberland River and lost for over a week in 1785. They were only in a simple leather saddlebag, but when they were fished out of the water they were still legible and salvageable. There were more waterproof containers (using beeswax, tarring, and other methods), but the paper and ink themselves proved highly resistant to water.
      Sailors most likely would have had oilcloth containers, or possibly leather impregnated with a substance to make them more water resistant.
      Excellent question. Thank you!

    • @myperspective5091
      @myperspective5091 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@BrianA-dq7gv
      I wonder if anyone made cases made from linen that were doped like airplane canvas.
      I used to have a carrying case that was made out of suede tanned leather that had a mink oil on it that made it waterproof.

    • @BrianA-dq7gv
      @BrianA-dq7gv 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@myperspective5091 I've not seen doped linen, but I have seen linen impregnated with wax, and oiled leather. Both were relatively common. That carrying case does seem to be very similar to some period cases I've seen.

    • @abrotherinchrist
      @abrotherinchrist 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@BrianA-dq7gv That's funny because my modern-day $3000 printer can't seem to handle paper that has been exposed to high humidity.

    • @paulmanson253
      @paulmanson253 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@myperspective5091 FWIW,the original doped airplane canvas was a rather expensive formulation of multiple ingredients including banana oil(from the smell). And since the main ingredient was guncotton( nitrocellulose) it was relatively late in the 19th Century, and exceptionally flammable. It was only some time after WWI that(DuPont I think) came up with the acetate instead of the nitrate that what we call automotive lacquer came to be. And film stock,etc.
      And when aviation dope dries it stiffens the fabric so a hinge or flap would have to be a separate item of manufacture.

  • @charlesvickers4804
    @charlesvickers4804 4 ปีที่แล้ว +284

    There's a paper mill in Springfield Massachusetts that still makes cotton lint paper. Much of their product is used for legal documents. The water mark is changed regular for forgery security. Only their people can identify and testify that the paper is of the proper time frame for the content. They have been in business since the colonial times and still use parts of the mill machines from then with modern upgrades to them. I used to deliver lint pulp bails to them. The dock I used regular I've seen pictures of mule teams and wagon unloading at. Amazing place. All the water canals used to drive the equipment are still in place. If you can imagine putting a tractor and trailer in a space built for mule and wagon. Had to back an 8th mile down to it. My skills were sharpened in a way nothing else could have done.
    Enjoy your work here thank you

    • @threwthelookingglass7194
      @threwthelookingglass7194 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Charles Vickers the one down the street from the fire . station. at the bottom of the hill . and river .. near the hardwear store

    • @charlesvickers4804
      @charlesvickers4804 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@threwthelookingglass7194 sou.ds correct. From what I remember. Sits between the river and the canal.

    • @torkildenstadhausken4531
      @torkildenstadhausken4531 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      What are they called?

    • @charlesvickers4804
      @charlesvickers4804 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@torkildenstadhausken4531 guess I need to retract. It's actually West Springfield. Was talking to a fellow I knew from the lint shipper down here that told me they were still shipping to them. It's the mill on front st. I sits between the Westfield river and the Westfield river channel. It's now a lazer printing company I guess. Sory for the mislead. Still glad one of our historic mills wasn't totally abandoned and left to rot.

    • @madhouse7364
      @madhouse7364 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Crane & Co. In Dalton (now relocated?) crafts the substrate for our currency. I used to print their specialty letterpress orders, things like wedding invite packages and such for people with far too much $.

  • @addiet3171
    @addiet3171 4 ปีที่แล้ว +405

    This historical writing series has been great!

  • @dwaynewladyka577
    @dwaynewladyka577 4 ปีที่แล้ว +357

    So, to obtain paper in the olden days, it would take the shirt off of your back.

    • @apollomars1678
      @apollomars1678 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      the "Lumpen Markt" was quite important, there were state sin europe, who stoped transit of these waste for paper productions to outside markets to secure their paper production (paper was mainly needed for trade accounting and money accounting, the dutch and swiss were the big paper producer in europe for a reason)

    • @axelpatrickb.pingol3228
      @axelpatrickb.pingol3228 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Not surprised. The paper back then followed the Asian practices: including old rags with the pulp. Paper based on wood wasn't that prevalent until industrializationnof the process happened in the 1830's...

    • @apollomars1678
      @apollomars1678 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@axelpatrickb.pingol3228 to be even more exact, there is the process of Beizen, comming from mesopotania (irak), using the actual cloth allready as a form of "paper" to write on it by preparing it with the same method to creat paper. this was obivious less compareable to today paper, but the process is nearly the same compared to the process to make paper out of cloths and older than chinese paper creations. the chinese invented paper from the beizen, because they didnt had pergament or papyrus or cloths from that material and used the bad writing material bambus or confinient stuff like stones or metals or wood.
      the western world adopted paper, because they had to many trade and logistic interested people in the late medival periode of time, who dont want to just write something down (always more common, even in roman times around 50% of the roman soldiers were able to write, proven by letters found some years ago in a scotish outpost) the actual need to archivate your data from trade or for logistics for years in a big empire made the development of paper a need for these empires and thereby it was adopted from other regions and actual financial supported by rich european cities.

    • @jshicke
      @jshicke 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@axelpatrickb.pingol3228 Until a method was devised to recover and reuse the caustic chemicals utilized in the paper making process, it was not cost effective to make paper from trees. The process uses some extremely caustic chemicals. The recovery process, including the recovery boiler, was not invented until the 1900's, where the chemicals are recovered for reuse, and was what made paper from wood pulp economical. The first Kraft paper mill, using the Kraft Sulfate process, was built in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, and is still in operation today as part of WestRock Corporation.

  • @aedinius
    @aedinius 4 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    Jon's reaction when Brian said "today we have an iPhone" made me laugh.
    I too carry a small notebook on me, but I have traded the quill for a modern fountain pen.

  • @ashleighlecount
    @ashleighlecount 4 ปีที่แล้ว +177

    This has been such a good series! One of my favorite series on this channel that didn't have to do with food.

  • @the-chillian
    @the-chillian 4 ปีที่แล้ว +78

    Our money is still printed on rag bond, with a combination of cotton and linen fibers.

    • @Ghostkar
      @Ghostkar 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Is the green green?

  • @AbigailBGnath
    @AbigailBGnath 4 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    My master's thesis was required to be printed on 100% cotton rag paper. I had to provide three copies for binding to the graduate college. It was expensive but the quality was definitely present. 😃

    • @healinggrounds19
      @healinggrounds19 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Really? Wow! What year was this? I had to present three copies, bound as well. But no mention of 100% cotton rag. Whew.

    • @AbigailBGnath
      @AbigailBGnath 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@healinggrounds19 This was 1994 at Arizona State University, required by the Graduate College. The thesis was about 120 pages and I remember it was very expensive for the paper and the binding itself, but totally worth it! What year did you get your Master's? Are you also a Rocky Horror fan? 😁

  • @sandranevins2144
    @sandranevins2144 4 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    I worked in a Stationary store, I learned a lot about rag content, watermarks , vellum, types of print, styles. And some of the most beautiful writing pens and wax stamps. This series is really well put together. Thanks.

    • @fionafiona1146
      @fionafiona1146 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What do you think about the "A" format?

  • @paulaneary7877
    @paulaneary7877 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Jon is a very polite and courteous interviewer. He listens and does not interrupt.

  • @shanek6582
    @shanek6582 4 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    I’ve got a discharge order from the revolutionary war that’s about the size of a dollar bill, now I know why.

  • @Ishidalover
    @Ishidalover 4 ปีที่แล้ว +231

    It may sound strange, but I use this channel's lessons/features to better inform my worldbuilding in D&D, since our campaign is similar to these time periods. Thank you for these wonderful videos!

    • @The214thRabidFangirl
      @The214thRabidFangirl 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I do the same thing

    • @mattjackson
      @mattjackson 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Yep, I have incorporated numerous things into my games that I was introduced to through these videos. The latest was the laundry lady. This series will likely come into the game too!

    • @comradegarrett1202
      @comradegarrett1202 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I do LARP and it's especially relevant for costuming and props

    • @adreabrooks11
      @adreabrooks11 4 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      It's also a great source for non-player characters. Instead of just bumping into a "commoner," I can now have them meet the laundress, the ragman, the group of housewives waiting around the baker's shop as their beans cook, etc. It (I hope) makes the setting feel much more immersive and vital.

    • @scaper8
      @scaper8 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      That's the great thing about stuff like this; it really has so many uses. World building in games (as you've done), world building in books, movies or television shows, a beginner's guide of sorts for those interested in making or using historical paperworks, roleplayers and reenactors, people who enjoy obscure aspects of history, just flat out entertainment! So much.

  • @demodemo5146
    @demodemo5146 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Brian's a great guest! Bring him back!

  • @richardstewart1955
    @richardstewart1955 4 ปีที่แล้ว +35

    Whenever I hear people talk about using trees to make paper, they make it sound like it is somehow wrong. When I was going through Forestry training I was informed by my instructors that there were thousands of acres growing trees for paper. If we stopped using those trees the property owners would strip the land and use it for grazing cattle or put it to some other use that didn't include trees. They also taught me that there are more trees in America today than when the continent was discovered.

    • @johnree6106
      @johnree6106 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      There probably less trees but it is strange because paper probably comes from the parts that don't get turned to lumber.

    • @WatchmanZeke
      @WatchmanZeke 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      There's about 70% of the area that was forested in1630
      In 1630 there was 423 million hectares or about 46 percent of the total land area
      In 1997 ( the latest data I could find) there was , 302 million hectares. 33 percent of the total land area of the United States was in forest land

    • @TheSpecialJ11
      @TheSpecialJ11 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@WatchmanZeke I imagine the wording could be because you can fit more young trees per acre. So while there's less forest we have lost our old growth forest that had old trees taking up much space.

    • @Just_Sara
      @Just_Sara 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      If you consider a forest like a field, where you grow a crop, harvest it, and later replant, it helps you realize that it's not a bad thing.

  • @Hadowsay019
    @Hadowsay019 4 ปีที่แล้ว +63

    I have to say Mr. Townsend that coat you're wearing is smashing.

  • @GunFunZS
    @GunFunZS 4 ปีที่แล้ว +58

    The trees used to make modern paper are hybrid poplar that are planted for the purpose. They grow amazingly quickly and are good for l for the soil too. Paper makers want uniform pulp that can only come from crop trees, not wild.

    • @apollomars1678
      @apollomars1678 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      but the whole asian market used papers from southeastern asia, including australia, but today mainly from indonesia, incuding tree-pirates, who come to one of these thousand small islands in indonesia, cut down every tree on the island and bring the trees for good money to illegal companies in india, vietnam, siam, china etc.
      most of the paper is shipped to japan. they use way to much paper in their society.

    • @kathyyoung1774
      @kathyyoung1774 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Exactly. They are not clear cutting virgin forests nor the rain forests to make typing paper, as many people would have us believe.

    • @apollomars1678
      @apollomars1678 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@kathyyoung1774 half of all traded luber is going to china. they like tropical wood.
      www.stevekemper.net/tree_thieves_71491.htm

    • @allangibson8494
      @allangibson8494 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Australian made paper is a mix of plantation pine and eucalyptus and have been for half a century. Only the imported stuff is made from anything else (and our bank notes are PET plastic).

    • @apollomars1678
      @apollomars1678 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@allangibson8494 well some decades ago, like 1-2 you were the biggest exporter of wood as an industrial country. made a lot of enviroment problems of today, your white australia policy :D

  • @GradyGillis
    @GradyGillis 4 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    I use Chinese xuan paper, which is the laid paper type. Very interesting process. I use it for Sumi and Chinese brush painting. I'm no expert on it, but the two main types are made from rice straw or mulberry bark. There are different finishing processes for them. Brian mentioned using charcoal art paper because it is laid paper. I wonder if some of the heavier mulberry paper would work with a quill pen. Works great with Chinese/Japanese/Korean brushes for calligraphy and calligraphic arts like Sumi and CBP. This has been a fascinating series and Brian has been a superb guest.

    • @GradyGillis
      @GradyGillis 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @Joa Lingo Sorry, I know nothing about it but it sounds interesting.

  • @scottcantdance804
    @scottcantdance804 4 ปีที่แล้ว +158

    Tried to make paper as a child.
    Failed miserably. I think I tried using cattails, because I lived in a swampy area and there was no papyrus on my continent.

    • @Anonarchist
      @Anonarchist 4 ปีที่แล้ว +37

      i tried with saw dust when i was a kid. worst particle board ever made.

    • @Lastburn
      @Lastburn 4 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      Cat tail paper is definitely possible you just need more bleaching and a stronger binder. Possibly sun bleach/dry it first for a few weeks after cooking so it can be turned in finer fibres for the paper

    • @cherriemckinstry131
      @cherriemckinstry131 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@Lastburn definitely a good project for a kettle outdoors with a cam fire.

    • @hughbrackett343
      @hughbrackett343 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      I made some laid paper using window screen but I cheated by mashing some regular paper.

    • @scottcantdance804
      @scottcantdance804 4 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      @Patrick Ancona I think the biggest problem I had is I couldn't get the tails off the cats without my arms getting clawed to hell.

  • @jeffm3283
    @jeffm3283 4 ปีที่แล้ว +69

    Great episode. Mr. Allison is an excellent guest I really enjoyed this and will watch the other parts of the series

  • @Bildgesmythe
    @Bildgesmythe 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I'm so old I can remember stationary stores that sold vellum, parchment, and sealing wax! It was a wonderful time when love letters were perfumed and not a text message!

    • @zakofrx
      @zakofrx 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Those stores still exist but are harder to find.

  • @RabbitsInBlack
    @RabbitsInBlack 4 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Funny how You can buy paper of any kind. From GENUINE PARCHMENT/vellum, Papyrus, Cotton to Polyester, if you are willing to pay. Some things just never die.

  • @charlesvickers4804
    @charlesvickers4804 4 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    Dryer lint makes a nice paper if you make your own

    • @scaper8
      @scaper8 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Wouldn't have thought about that, but it makes sense. It is essentially the rag-stock that would be turned into paper.

    • @matthewpalmer9820
      @matthewpalmer9820 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Show me

    • @healinggrounds19
      @healinggrounds19 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I tried this with my cub scout troop years ago. We made all kinds of different paper. The dryer lint paper was lumpy was pretty.

    • @martabachynsky8545
      @martabachynsky8545 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@matthewpalmer9820 Agreed. I want to know how to make dryer-lint paper. :-)

  • @zxb995511
    @zxb995511 4 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    This whole writing series gets an A+ from me. Well done.

  • @Fanatiqual
    @Fanatiqual 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I love when your videos stray away from cooking. Don't get me wrong, i come for the cooking, but i stay for the whole snapshot of a time period. Very good video and very informative.

  • @tomm2812
    @tomm2812 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I found this to be incredibly interesting. For years I carried a 2x3 notebook, I have been using my iPhone for the last couple of years. I decided to carry, in addition, a small field notebook of waterproof paper. Excellent video Jon and Brian. Best

  • @bernadetterocha3693
    @bernadetterocha3693 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I never knew paper had ever been made from rags. That is fascinating! Thank you so much for this wonderful intro to paper!

  • @Mrsadams1
    @Mrsadams1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +48

    What an enjoyable little sub-series. (Your whole channel is extremely enjoyable, BTW.) Thank you so much. 😊

  • @carolhaycock7419
    @carolhaycock7419 4 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    This series on historical writing is wonderful. I do so love your interview series. Thank you so much.

  • @iamgerg
    @iamgerg 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Who knew papier was so fascinating.

  • @hammer326
    @hammer326 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    One of my favorite videos of the channel already even as a newer fan, just because this guy both looks and sounds like he's gonna authorize my letter of marque to go after Captain Flint.

  • @alaskankare
    @alaskankare 4 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    how interesting! I hope a video the papermaking process is in the works! Would love to see how parchment was made from skins

  • @KundelX
    @KundelX 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    This series of videos was one of the best on your channel, and that's no easy feat!

  • @thisisbs808
    @thisisbs808 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    This was so fascinating! Would love to see how they folded their correspondence paper into an "envelope" for mailing

    • @scaper8
      @scaper8 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      There are some great step-by-step instructions online for folding sheets of paper into their won envelopes. If your interested. I would imagine that most of them are derived from, based off of, or inspired by ways that it would be done then.
      I, too, would love to see a fourth video covering postage, envelopes, seals and stamps (I'm endlessly in love with wax seals, myself), waterproofing during transit (both mass and just a person carrying his documents), etc. That would be great.

    • @thisisbs808
      @thisisbs808 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@scaper8 Thanks! I too love wax seals, use them any chance I get :)

  • @mw-dc1by
    @mw-dc1by 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    These have been extremely interesting. Loved the quill pen making one. My college diploma is on vellum parchment.
    Cutting down trees for paper is not a sad thing. Soft wood is grown in plantations. When you buy wood to build a house or buy paper you're also paying for those plantations to be replenished.

    • @C-Henry
      @C-Henry 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Last I saw there were a few tree farms out here in Oregon that specifically raise fast growing species of trees for paper production. I have no idea how profitable it is but it seems like they wouldn't be too difficult of a crop to manage.

    • @Cinomod6066
      @Cinomod6066 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Well I think his point was when they first started using trees for paper they would just chop down with no regard for replenishing and such it was all use no putback which made it sad to see entire forests disappear for paper along with various other things.

    • @moosemaimer
      @moosemaimer 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      There really isn't any part of a tree that isn't useful, waste material during production processes like cutoffs and even sawdust or bark gets made into something. Fiberboard, landscaping mulch, furnace pellets... the Kingsford charcoal company was founded as a means of using the leftover wood from the Ford car factory.

    • @mw-dc1by
      @mw-dc1by 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@C-Henry There are some pulp farms in the NW. A lot of paper comes from pine swamp plantations in the SE. LP owns all of the ones I have seen in both places. You can smell the pulp Mill East of Vancouver WA as well.

    • @kimfleury
      @kimfleury 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Cinomod6066 -- I live in Michigan, which was the big supplier of wood for the continent until a series of forest fires took down the virgin timber. The main use was for shipbuilding, followed by construction and finally furniture. The port city I live in had many mills (my great-grandfather and his brother both got jobs at one mill when they arrived here from Germany in 1880). It was very hard work, and wore a man down quickly, so most only lasted a year on average. No part of the wood was wasted -- there was a use for every bit, even the sawdust. Even without the forest fires, they eventually would have torn through the virgin forest at the rate they were going, but if all they were making was paper, there's no way they would have deforested the land.

  • @jorge1582
    @jorge1582 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This channel is like a jewel. I always learn something when watching.

  • @bobriemersma
    @bobriemersma 4 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    I know the topic is writing but... Any thoughts on butcher paper and other papers used in retail commerce to package everything from pork chops to medicinal powders purchased from a shop's bulk barrels, baskets, buckets, and bins? I assume envelopes and paper sacks came relatively late, replacing many a paper packet tied up with string. Paperboard pill boxes and the like even later.

    • @sirwilliam51
      @sirwilliam51 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Parchment and butcher's paper makes great waterproof maps and recipes since they don't run or fade that much.

    • @arvidfrykman9850
      @arvidfrykman9850 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      They might have used waste paper for that at the time. Waste paper was certainly used that way later. In 19th century England street food was sold wrapped in old newspapers, and I recall a story about a music enthusiast finding a "lost" Beethoven concerto wrapped around his cheese.

    • @healinggrounds19
      @healinggrounds19 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Many great English plays were lost because Queen Elizabeth's minister of revelry at the time, Lord Warburton, had stacks of plays (unread) near the kitchen. Supposedly his cook helped himself to the free paper to line pie pans and cooking trays. That's what my theatre history professor at Oxford told us anyway.

    • @stevenjohnson2273
      @stevenjohnson2273 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@healinggrounds19 we may have the cook to thank for saving us from some not so great plays also.

    • @carpii
      @carpii 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Arvid Frykman - Its not that long ago that British fish and chip shops wrapped portions in unsold newspapers too, until it became illegal in 1990 due to safety concerns. I can still remember the distinctive smell of the malt vinegar soaking into the newspaper, and it makes me hungry just imagining it

  • @bettyr2319
    @bettyr2319 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    John this is absolutely fascinating. History is so very important to us all. Thanks to everyone involved in the making of Townsend. I truly enjoy every episode. Thanks to everyone who leaves comments too. Wonderful nuggets of information there as well.

  • @moozie2z
    @moozie2z 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a great interview! No idea why but something about this gentleman's voice just draws me in. I could hear him talk about paper for hours.

  • @LinkRocks
    @LinkRocks 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Brian is so knowledgeable. I love how he explains things.

  • @lindyashford7744
    @lindyashford7744 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Paper is not a relatively recent development it was being made and used in China in the first and second century CE and was being used in the middle east by around 800, and got to europe around 1100.

    • @catlover10192
      @catlover10192 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The middle ages really are relatively recent, so 1100 in Europe gels pretty well with that statement.

  • @DavidMaurand
    @DavidMaurand 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    fabulous trinity of shows. today, you can get rag content in photo papers...this show brings me back to my days as a printer and calligrapher. laid, wove, and vellum finish were coins of the realm. note, the animal skin surfaces were not impervious to problems including rot and bleed through, which kept monasteries, scriveners, and copyists busy for centuries. this was a fascinating series - thanks for this.

  • @R0ckerb0y
    @R0ckerb0y 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My father makes linen paper in his home in Portland Oregon. He used to run the Thompson Conservation laboratory and was in the business of restoring ancient things. (He even developed the case that the Magna Carta toured the US in 1986)
    He specialized in 15th century bookbinding and even used to teach a class on 15th century book binding in Northern Idaho each summer.

  • @Beaguins
    @Beaguins 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love material history, and especially anything to do with writing. Please do more material history! Your channel's earliest videos were about stuff, and I'm glad to see you're going back to it.

  • @gusmiccy1719
    @gusmiccy1719 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I really like this mini-series. Very fun to watch!

  • @APV878
    @APV878 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Awesome! Thank you for sharing all of this and keeping this alive

  • @shadixyt
    @shadixyt ปีที่แล้ว

    I am actually blown away from the thoughtfulness and ingenuity of the Commonplace book, like the ancestor of the modern day planner book, just so incredible that they were that resourceful and inventive with their bookkeeping and journaling!

  • @randywatson8347
    @randywatson8347 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love these series!

  • @lesahanners5057
    @lesahanners5057 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This has been such an great series and so educational. I shall have to check my ephemera collection to see what papers are in it?! I learned something new today as I thought the small paper booklets were called, "waist", paper because they were sized to fit in a waistcoat pocket. Seems I had the wrong waste/waist. ...ha ha ha... I have as part of my collection, my hubbies 3rd grt grandpa, Col. James Madison Gregg's diary, which dates a little later in the 1830's, and it is sized to fit in a waistcoat pocket. He carried it with him and kept daily notes, so it is well worn but very interesting. He was a Quaker and went often to meeting, helped with barn and house raising's, worked hauling logs and at a saw mill, and recorded local deaths. He became a country clerk, lawyer, and a United States Senator, from Danville, Hendricks co., Indiana, the later until right before the Civil War. He was a Colonel in the Home Guards during the Civil War, and a well respected citizen of Danville. I have never thought to check my papers to see what kind they are, so this should prove to be yet another interesting aspect of my collection. Thanks again for such a wonderful series. Brian seems very well versed and is exceedingly pleasing in his presentation. You look very sharp too! Have a great day!

  • @robadams234
    @robadams234 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Absolutely loving the historical writing series. I use fountain pens exclusively and I’ve been using a dip pen more at home. After going to Mount Vernon and Montpelier this week with my daughter I bought a quill pen and I’ve been trying to find out more about the ink and paper. So when I accidentally found these I was thrilled!! And I checked a document I have from 1707 and sure enough..laid paper. I had no idea.

  • @mmartin0911
    @mmartin0911 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I do watercolor paintings, and the paper I use is a brand called Arches. Its 100% cotton, and yes, it is crazy expensive. About $25 for 12 sheets if you buy it at the art store, but it's a little cheaper if you order online. Worth every penny though because its a dream to paint on.

  • @ludvigtande1236
    @ludvigtande1236 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    We forget how difficult life was just a couple of hundred years ago. Thanks for sharing. Keep history alive👍

  • @elpepeneto
    @elpepeneto 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Dwight Schrute approves of this video! Great series!!!

  • @ytfp
    @ytfp 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Such a great guest and eloquent both videos I've watched letting the host close with a simple smile and nod. Extremely impressed!

  • @jillianromick5353
    @jillianromick5353 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another wonderful series from Townsend's! I never knew the history of paper and writing could be so interesting, but then again you and the people you interview could read a phone book and make it interesting!

  • @DaudAlzayer
    @DaudAlzayer 4 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    In colonial America, paper making efforts floundered because they couldn't match the quality or price of paper made in England. However, when paper was boycotted durring the Townshend Acts, it kept local manufacture alive. The Crane paper company, who makes the cotton-linen paper for US currency today was founded in the 1700s, and survived in the revolutionary era thanks to the boycots.

  • @corywhiting2996
    @corywhiting2996 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is a good one! Very informative.

  • @jlouutube65
    @jlouutube65 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As a paper-loving, older Graphic Designer... I loved learning about all this...now I understand why some paper stock is called linen and how water marks originated. Thankyou for this invaluable knowledge.

  • @johnnybuttcrust765
    @johnnybuttcrust765 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for your channel... It gets me away from the madness

  • @annalepper457
    @annalepper457 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    learned something today!

  • @tmcelhi1
    @tmcelhi1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As a writing nerd, I've enjoyed these videos tremendously!

  • @FaceForwardd
    @FaceForwardd 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The passion for our history on display in this channel is food for the soul. Thank you for another wonderful video Townsends

  • @C-Henry
    @C-Henry 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I remember making paper as a project back in grade school, I use the term "making" loosely as we got our pulp by shredding construction paper and soaking it, but we did lay it across a screen and let it dry. So while we cheated a bit some of the process was apparently pretty accurate.

  • @willi3ar
    @willi3ar 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great mini-series! Thank you all.

  • @OnlyInMyDreams
    @OnlyInMyDreams 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Very interesting thank you😊

  • @dpeter6396
    @dpeter6396 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brian's da man!!! Vast knowledge of a subject most folks pay little attention to. Wow. Thanks to John for bringing us this great information.

  • @BudgetGunsandGearReviews
    @BudgetGunsandGearReviews 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have NO IDEA why I watched this... But I watched the whole thing. GREAT video!

  • @paveloleynikov4715
    @paveloleynikov4715 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Looks like we need another entry about postage, seals, envelopes and so on...

    • @TheMaritimeHorror
      @TheMaritimeHorror 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Да Павел. Мне это очень нравятся. Forgive me, I am practicing.

  • @LindaB651
    @LindaB651 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is all quite fascinating! Thank you both!

  • @gerrymarmee3054
    @gerrymarmee3054 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As usual, you present something that I had no idea would be so interesting!

  • @southernwanderer7912
    @southernwanderer7912 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That was so interesting. Brian Allison sure knows historical writing and everything you needed to do it.

  • @flashthompson7
    @flashthompson7 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    So very humbled for you to freely share this on our TH-cam platform. May you be blessed

  • @hlynnkeith9334
    @hlynnkeith9334 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Outstanding! Mr Allison grasp of the details impressed me. I appreciate his devotion to keeping this knowledge and practice alive.

  • @randolphchappel6098
    @randolphchappel6098 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Any information on writing slopes? I’m guessing they were the equivalent to today’s laptops. I have one that I use with our re-enactment group. I sign up children at events that we participate at. The contracts we do up are on a parchment-like paper and are exact copies from the North West Company, out of Montreal. I use a quill pen with some success; to sign them up. This writing slope that I use has ink bottles, quills, pouce,, fine sand, paper and contracts. It also has a hidden compartment!

  • @s.armitage3963
    @s.armitage3963 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love the attire. Both of you gentlemen look very dapper. Green is a really good color for Townsend's. 👍

  • @TheTreegodfather
    @TheTreegodfather 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love how his videos aren't just plugging the products they sell; but actually informative and educational. 13 minutes of video, only one sentence about sales.

  • @AllDayBikes
    @AllDayBikes 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Had no idea watermark literally came from the water mark left by the logo, cool!

  • @DudeitsLandon
    @DudeitsLandon 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    11:25 "we have an iphone today"
    IMMERSION BROKEN

  • @stacysalinas22
    @stacysalinas22 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was surprised that they handled the old papers without protecting them a little bit...thank you so much for the very interesting video! Best wishes!

    • @emmabenuska699
      @emmabenuska699 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Maybe he uses the paper so children,adults can experience what the different types of paper felt like?

  • @lauriemclean1131
    @lauriemclean1131 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Fascinating! Loved this.

  • @jamesking4308
    @jamesking4308 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Super interesting, the writing with quills, inks, and paper! :)

  • @dayslikethis5557
    @dayslikethis5557 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I would love to see you continue this series on Historical Writing. I'd be interested in seeing you do videos on printing presses, 18th Century newspapers, and book-binding.

  • @AveryMilieu
    @AveryMilieu 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    There are some smaller papermakers producing HEMP papers in the US.
    I love the texture and smell of the vintage books I've owned.
    One printed in 1790 (or so) is a history of Greece with a map insert! It's in storage...
    Lovely laid paper with a tactile as well as visual texture, you can feel the imprint of the text on the lined surface...
    I once handled a small treatise on Natural Physics written in Latin - printers date was in the mid 1600s (1646 is the number I remember). I found that one in a file folder of a some estate papers I was sorting and archiving... It ALMOST got thrown away because there was so much trash with the valuable papers. I gave it the the heirs and stressed the value of the item after they just left it on the dining table for a week - and he stashed it in his underwear drawer. The paper it was printed on was laid - very fine - but the pages used in the binding process had been cannibalized from liturgical texts that were not printed, but hand inked in two colors and most likely parchment.

  • @Goddot
    @Goddot 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I use a tiny A6 cheap book! It's tremendously useful for writing down stuff you know you'll forget, and was so cheaply made you can just rip the pages out with no effort, so you can leave notes to other people or write out addresses and give them.
    Historical tidbit on the A paper series used now in most of the world: it was fairly recent (a few papermakers invented in in the 18th century, but it's only in the 20th century it got widespread), and the idea was to go as close as possible to the golden number in the proportions, while keeping the same proportions when you cut it in two. Previous papers tended to be more vertical as it was closer to that golden rule.

  • @danielbarker5101
    @danielbarker5101 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love this channel but this is, by far, the most interesting episode today. thank you for all the research and time taken to follow these dying topics.

  • @nicolewooldridge9683
    @nicolewooldridge9683 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Back again, this series is so exiting 💜👍💙

  • @cellgrrl
    @cellgrrl 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I would love to hear about wax seals on envelopes. Great series, thank you!

    • @healinggrounds19
      @healinggrounds19 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I do calligraphy as a side job for brides and love using wax seals!❤

    • @Tmanaz480
      @Tmanaz480 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      He has two:
      th-cam.com/video/xxb-XqsgaqM/w-d-xo.html
      th-cam.com/video/Cjcez07A9qA/w-d-xo.html

  • @Reauxsted1
    @Reauxsted1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I am really enjoying this latest series of "real life" videos. Excellent work as always, and this answers so many questions for us. Thanks so much for all you do!

  • @aaron3890
    @aaron3890 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    This 3-part series is perfect for introducing people to 18th Century writing! Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together, it's really fantastic. It's also great that you have many of the paper items for sale on your sight. I can't wait to get a "commonplace book."

  • @HearthandSickle
    @HearthandSickle 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    I found 81/2 x11 linens and cotton paper at my local wal-Mart made for presentations/ documents. 100 pages for I believe around $10
    Ms. B

  • @Pfsif
    @Pfsif 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    There nothing wrong with cutting down tress as long as you plant 2 for 1 at least. Don't cry for trees.

  • @huma474
    @huma474 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing video! Thanks for putting these together

  • @nicolemarly6202
    @nicolemarly6202 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Hello paper daddy

    • @KL005
      @KL005 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      NYCHOLE

    • @scantrahan
      @scantrahan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Made me happy to see you post :)

    • @mrdanforth3744
      @mrdanforth3744 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Good ol' Nicole

  • @kittenkagome1
    @kittenkagome1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very informative video!

  • @Pieces_Of_Eight
    @Pieces_Of_Eight 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A fascinating exploration of an oft-overlooked aspect of history! Remarkable that some historic documents may have their own hidden histories of the used clothing they could have been manufactured from, history on history. The different paper sizes and uses are a fantastic demonstration, and both hosts a pleasure to listen too. Brilliant topic!

  • @user-ls8rl3mo8e
    @user-ls8rl3mo8e 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I attended a camp at Traveler’s Rest for a few years when I was a child. Brian is one of the most gifted historians and Nashville is lucky to have him. One of his most impressive skills is getting kids, whom otherwise would not care about history, engaged and interested.
    I still love history and I credit that almost exclusively to Brian. If you have his contact information, please let me know so I can thank him.

  • @fartzinwind
    @fartzinwind 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    We've not seen him in direct sunlight, confirmed vampire.

  • @tehtapemonkey
    @tehtapemonkey 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Man, Townsends is great at findinginteresting people who really know their stuff.

  • @raphael52
    @raphael52 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for sharing. We need to invest in saving such rich heritage and traditions. Thank you again.

  • @mtslyh
    @mtslyh 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fantastic series! Thanks so much for putting this together.