3 ms·

This is one of those histories that feel fake at the first sight. If the title claims that the paper was cut around 1674, I don't see the proofs anywhere. I se

This is one of those histories that feel fake at the first sight. If the title claims that the paper was cut around 1674, I don't see the proofs anywhere. I see again a lack of critical thinking to spot available alternatives that are more logical, or a try to make the history more appealing. This paper seems made by a machine, does not have any fungus on it and is white (after 350 years should be yellow). Chemical processes to keep the paper white and free of fungus attack weren't invented until 1850. The floorboards may have 350 years, but the materials in those photos seem very 20th.

goosedragons 2y ago
Paper turns yellow in part due to exposure to sunlight. You can see well preserved 17th century books today that are a similar whiteness and grain, not entirely covered in fugus either. A 20th century work would not have hen spelt as hean. There also appears to be foxing on both the fox and nude figure...
gus_massa 2y ago
From the article: > Dr Isabella Rosner, an expert in early modern material culture, identified the paper cuttings at Sutton House which are almost identical to only two other known surviving examples, one of which is a decorative box dating to the 1680s held in a collection at Witney Antiques in Oxfordshire. I was not able to find photos of the box in Google, but it look like they already have similar drawings of the same time.
- gus_massa 2y ago
  Too late to edit: Since mid nineteen century, most paper is acidic. It's cheaper but it slowly self destroy https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidic_paper https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidic_paper Older parer and non acidic paper survives better.
OJFord 2y ago
These particular examples are claimed to have been left some time between when the school was created in the second half of the 18th century, and 1891 when it was taken over by 'St John’s Church Institute, which provided skills-training and pastimes for young men from the parish church.' The longer 350 years refers to previous 'almost identical' examples found elsewhere. (Yes 'nearly 350 years ago' is a misleading title.) The National Trust took over the property before the war, discovering and preserving these artefacts during renovation in the 80s. It seems perfectly plausible to me, they just needed to stay dry.
trte9343r4 2y ago
London has high air moisture. All the oils and water from floor board would get through right to paper. One cleaning with a mop...
InfamousRece 2y ago
Very old paper tends to stay white: https://bookcollecting.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/paper-cotton-vs-wood-pulp/ https://bookcollecting.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/paper-cotton...

goosedragons 2y ago

Paper turns yellow in part due to exposure to sunlight. You can see well preserved 17th century books today that are a similar whiteness and grain, not entirely covered in fugus either. A 20th century work would not have hen spelt as hean. There also appears to be foxing on both the fox and nude figure...

gus_massa 2y ago

From the article: > Dr Isabella Rosner, an expert in early modern material culture, identified the paper cuttings at Sutton House which are almost identical to only two other known surviving examples, one of which is a decorative box dating to the 1680s held in a collection at Witney Antiques in Oxfordshire. I was not able to find photos of the box in Google, but it look like they already have similar drawings of the same time.

gus_massa 2y ago
Too late to edit: Since mid nineteen century, most paper is acidic. It's cheaper but it slowly self destroy https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidic_paper https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidic_paper Older parer and non acidic paper survives better.

OJFord 2y ago

These particular examples are claimed to have been left some time between when the school was created in the second half of the 18th century, and 1891 when it was taken over by 'St John’s Church Institute, which provided skills-training and pastimes for young men from the parish church.' The longer 350 years refers to previous 'almost identical' examples found elsewhere. (Yes 'nearly 350 years ago' is a misleading title.) The National Trust took over the property before the war, discovering and preserving these artefacts during renovation in the 80s. It seems perfectly plausible to me, they just needed to stay dry.

trte9343r4 2y ago

London has high air moisture. All the oils and water from floor board would get through right to paper. One cleaning with a mop...

InfamousRece 2y ago

Very old paper tends to stay white: https://bookcollecting.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/paper-cotton-vs-wood-pulp/ https://bookcollecting.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/paper-cotton...