Paper Making Industry Collection

Smith Paper Mill (Columbia Mill, where first wood pulp paper was made), Lee, Mass. (c1911?). Creator: Unknown
Smith Paper Mill (Columbia Mill, where first wood pulp paper was made), Lee, Mass. (c1911?)

'Joynson's Paper Mill, St Mary Cray, Kent, 1890. Creator: Unknown
'Joynson's Paper Mill, St Mary Cray, Kent, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42. July to December, 1890

Diagrams illustrating the preparation of Rags and Esparto Grass for Paper-making, c1917. From How It is Made, by Archibald Williams. [Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and New York]

Paper Making, c1813. Artist: John Moffat
Paper Making, c1813. From Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, by David Brewster. [William Blackwood, London, c1813]

Papermaking in China, AD 105, (c1850). This year is often cited as the year in which papermaking was invented. In that year

Making paper from rags, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, 20th century. Artist: Keystone View Company
Making paper from rags, Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, 20th century. Cut rags after being removed from washing drums. From the late 19th until the mid 20th century Holyoke was the worlds largest

Paper making machine, 1866. A print from Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts, Mechanical and Chemical, Manufactures, Mining, and Engineering, edited by Charles Tomlinson, Volume II, Virtue and Co, London, 1866

A paper mill, China, 1895. Artist: Armand Kohl
A paper mill, China, 1895. From The Universal Geography with Illustrations and Maps, division XIV, written by Elisee Reclus and published by Virtue & Co. Limited (London, 1895)

Paper Mill, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, 1886. Artist: Albert Henry Fullwood
Paper Mill, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, 1886. Liverpool is a south-western suburb of Sydney. Wood engraving from Picturesque Atlas of Australasia, Vol I, by Andrew Garran

Paper making, 1751-1777. A print from the Encyclopedie, ou Dictionnaire Raisonne des Sciences, des Arts et des Metiers by Diderot & d Alembert, 1751-1777. Private Collection

Racking paper, 1751-1777. A print from the Encyclopedie, ou Dictionnaire Raisonne des Sciences, des Arts et des Metiers by Diderot & d Alembert, 1751-1777. Private Collection

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The art of paper making has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. From ancient China to Holyoke, Massachusetts in the 20th century, this industry has evolved and adapted over time. In c1917, diagrams were created to illustrate the preparation of rags and Esparto grass for paper-making. This meticulous process involved transforming these raw materials into pulp, which would then be used to create sheets of paper. One such artist who captured the essence of paper making was John Moffat in his piece titled "Paper Making" from c1813. His artwork showcases workers diligently crafting sheets of paper by hand, highlighting their skill and dedication. China has long been associated with the art of paper making, as depicted in an AD 105 illustration dating back to c1850. This image provides a glimpse into traditional Chinese methods, showcasing the intricate steps involved in creating this versatile material. Moving forward in time to the 20th century United States, we see an image by Keystone View Company capturing the process of making paper from rags in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The advancements made during this period are evident as machinery takes center stage alongside skilled laborers. A significant milestone came about with the invention of a revolutionary machine dedicated solely to producing paper -the Paper Making Machine- introduced in 1866. This innovation transformed production capabilities and propelled the industry forward into new realms. Across oceans lies another snapshot from history: a depiction by Armand Kohl showing a bustling Chinese Paper Mill circa 1895. Here we witness large-scale operations at play as workers navigate through towering stacks of freshly produced papers. Australia also played its part in shaping this industry with Albert Henry Fullwood's portrayal of a Paper Mill located in Liverpool, New South Wales dating back to 1886. The scene captures both man-made structures and natural surroundings coexisting harmoniously within this manufacturing hub. Lastly, we delve further back into history with images depicting paper making between 1751-1777.