Special Collections Librarian, Jared Ash presenting the papers with watermarks from the collection of Helen Hiebert's Watermarks in Handmade Paper: Modern and Historic. Photo by Andrijana Sajic
In collaboration with the Guild of Book Workers, Thomas J. Watson Library recently hosted a lecture by Timothy Barrett. Mr. Barrett is renowned for his great contribution to the field of hand papermaking, conservation, and the history of paper. In his lecture titled "A Career in Handpapermaking—Shortcomings & Accomplishments," he reflected on his forty five year career in a both humble and delightful way.
Mr. Barrett's talk can be seen on Thomas J. Watson Library Facebook page. Photo by Shayla Nastasi
Throughout his lecture, Mr. Barrett was eloquent in describing what he could have done differently in his career, however, he also shared many of his accomplishments, including his traditional and technical knowledge, as well as his background in the craft. As he stated, his aim in researching the craft of hand papermaking was to "get closer to the early sheets and get the paper to talk about how it was made." Mr. Barrett's lecture was filled with informative, remarkable, and amusing facts, but the biggest takeaways were the importance of exchanging knowledge and being willing to talk about one's mistakes. Mr. Barrett concluded his talk by referencing the life and work of Dard Hunter—famed papermaker—and how lucky he feels to be able to contribute to the rich heritage and preservation of hand papermaking. Mr. Barrett's talk can be viewed on Thomas J. Watson Library's Facebook page.
Viewing of Mr. Barrett's sample books and paper specimens. Photo by Mindell Dubansky
The tone and mood of this inspiring lecture was carried over to the reception and viewing of Mr. Barret's selection of books and paper specimens, where attendees had the opportunity to talk with him and have his recent Legacy Press publication, European Hand Papermaking: Traditions, Tools, and Techniques, signed. Mr. Barrett supplemented the illustrations in his presentation with a display of his handmade paper specimens and selected books on papermaking from Watson's special collections.
Reception in the Florence and Herbert Irving Reading Room. Photo by Jared Ash
The complete list of books selected by Mr. Barrett and our Book Conservation team can be found below. I would also like to share two publications which contain watermarks that our audience was particularly excited about. The first is the recently acquired Collection of Dard Hunter Paper with Watermarks, a group of eighteen paper specimens produced by Dard Hunter. The second source is considered one of the finest studies on Japanese hand papermaking, The Handmade Papers of Japan. This publication provides the history and description of Japanese papermaking in five volumes. Volume four is titled "The Collection of Watermarks," and includes twenty magnificent pictorial light-and-shade watermarked papers created by the Japanese method of hand-rubbing.
Paper with watermarks viewed through transmitted light. (Left: from Collection of Dard Hunter Paper with Watermarks; right: from The Handmade Papers of Japan). Photos by Andrijana Sajic
Mr. Barrett's selection of books included:
Book Conservation staff selection included:
