We have just had a wonderful day at The Paper Foundation in Burneside, Kendal. We originally visited way back in 2017 and things have certainly progressed since then.
When we visited in February 2017, well I say we, I tagged along when Steph was visiting Mark Cropper at James Cropper Ltd
I had the ulterior motive of taking along some J Whatman Turkey Mill paper from 1833, with the hope that their lab could match it with a paper they were already making. At the time I was experimenting with the Calotype paper negative process as described in the Strines Journals at The John Rylands Library.
Seven years later, for any number of reasons why it took that long, we were invited back for a visit by Mark.
The Paper Foundation that was discussed way back then is now a very active handmade papermaking mill.
An unassuming farm building has been converted, with Royal Appintment no less, into a papermill.
Inside are numerous rooms dedicated to the craft of handmade paper making.
The Paper Foundation was founded in 2016 to lead a renaissance in the field of hand papermaking, alongside preserving and celebrating paper arts and heritage more widely.
In 2020, the Foundation established a handmade paper mill in Burneside, the first of its kind for many decades, and one of only a handful worldwide.
They specialise in the production of fine handmade papers in the European style.
Each sheet of paper is individually handmade by expert craftsmen using traditional paper making fibres such as linen, hemp, cotton
The papers are used by leading museums, libraries and artists worldwide, with clients including the Guggenheim, the Vatican, the Library of Congress, Disney, the Royal Household, The British Library and many more.
They are also a charitable organisation committed to advancing education, arts and heritage, for the benefit of Burneside and beyond.
(I did borrow all of that from their website)
The vat room with apprentice papermakers Jonny and Sam, busy at work. Papermaker Tom Frith Powell was kind enough to show us around the mill and explain the process.
New and old paper beaters in use.
Sam “couching” the newly made paper from the mould onto woollen felt.
The drying rooms and presses.
Upstairs, where the paper is sorted for customers with some examples of paper from recycled denim!
Some of the many original moulds and tools that have been collected and put to re use.
Ellergreen, is an historic country house on the estate, just along from the mill.
The ground floor will eventually be a centre for artists and makers: offering residential accommodation, print studios and multi-purpose art studios for bookbinding, woodcut printing, and decorative papers.
Ellergreen also hosts an exhibition space, a library, and the archive.
When we visited in 2017, there was really only one room accessible and that stored the recent collection of paper moulds.
It looks a little different know, with landscaping and fresh paintwork, and major changes inside.
Just inside the doors was a recent delivery of watermarked paper and moulds. These were lead based with a moulded copper layer. A pre stage to the actual paper making mould.
The photographic quality was striking, especially this one of President Lincoln and his iconic portrait. Sadly, no spares.
The exhibition space houses numerous other moulds and watermarked paper.
Some recent acquisitions of early decorated papers on display.
The growing library.
I loved this enlarged portrait of the family on the doorstep.
From photograph, wax relief, electrolyte, wire and wax relief to final mesh mould for Queen Elizabeth II Coronation paper. I was still amazed by the photographic quality of these examples.
The temporary Mould Room. I believe there are over 800 paper making moulds in the collection.
Thank you, Mark, Monica, Tom, and the team for your hospitality.
Next week they are holding an Open Day. Get in touch with them for full details. It is well worth a visit.
Instagram @paper.foundation https://www.instagram.com/paper.foundation/
Somewhere out there will be a papermaking mould for Whatmans Turkey Mill…
I also brought up the idea of holding a wet plate collodion event on the etsate alongside some public events, which seemed to be well received by Mark. I’ll follow that up and see how it develops.