We are soliciting expressions of interest in a Blue Paper Sample Book that we propose to produce and make available at cost/ at a moderate cost.
The aim of such a Sampler is to make available a simple tool to enable scholars, conservators, curators and collectors to observe and describe the blue paper supports of drawings, prints, text blocks and documents more precisely and to facilitate comparison when works on blue supports cannot be directly compared. The present loose descriptions of “blue” or “blue-tinted” paper do not take advantage of the potential information that is contained in the physical material of this actually quite varied support material. Comparison with a standardised reference chart could be a first step in evaluating the need for more sophisticated analysis. The Sampler will consist of 12 blue paper samples: 5 samples of papier chiné made with a mixed rag fibre furnish of white linen and indigo-dyed wool (the latter in 5 gradations of 10-50%), numbered 1-5. 5 samples of papier chiné made with a mixed rag fibre furnish of white linen and woad-dyed wool (the latter in 5 gradations of 10-50%), numbered 6-10. 1 sample of a white linen rag paper dipped after fabrication into a vat of indigo dye, numbered 11. 1 sample of a white linen rag paper dipped after fabrication into a vat of woad dye, numbered 12. At present it is not proposed to include samples of blue prepared or blued papers but this is open to discussion. The paper samples will be prepared by a paper maker and dyer and mounted in a small portable folder by a book conservator. We would appreciate learning whether there is interest in such a tool; we shall also be pleased to entertain comments and suggestions. Dr. Thea Burns Independent scholar, Kingston, Canada [email protected] Leila Sauvage Paper conservator, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam [email protected] Jacques Bréjoux and Nadine Dumain Moulin du Verger [email protected] ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to [email protected] Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
