(And before anyone thinks it, yes, I HAND searched through every post of 26 pages in this forum
and 6 more pages in the paper review forum before asking this.)

-I DO like smoother papers so I'm not really looking for laid paper.
(I wouldn't *mind* a laid paper if it meets the below criteria. I cannot
see my guide lines through the G. Lalo VdF I just got by the way...)

-I REALLY DON'T care for deckled edges.

-I want it in a lighter pastel blue and maybe gray with matching envelopes.

-I NEED to be able to see the lines from a guide sheet under it.
(But I don't think I'm really looking for a "true" translucent paper either)

-Resonably priced and avaiable on-line in the US as there are NO stationery stores nearby.

HELP...pahleese.

and Thank You in advance,

Bruce in Ocala, FL

I'm not the paper expert, but the only thing I've found that satisfies all your requirements would be some vintage paper stationery on eBay. For some reason, I've found that older papers tend to be more suited to fountain pens. (Hmmm... maybe because that's what people used then?) I've not seen much in grey, but pale blue isn't terribly hard to find. But, of course, with fleaBay, you can't actually see or feel the paper so you have to take it on a bit of faith.

I wish you luck and hope that someone else can give you a more definitive recommendation!

Maybe:
http://www.vickerey.com/pgl820.html

Is working on a light box out of the question? If you're handy, you could make your own. If not, Dick Blick (no affiliation, just a customer) carries several models.

I hadn't really thought about that, but it strikes me as a "bit much" when I am pretty sure there is a paper
that will work alone out there. I just have to find it.

HardyB (prior post) I mentioned that I have the G. Lalo Verge de France, it's too thick for my guide sheet to
show through.


Bruce in Ocala, FL

Good luck with your search. I will be keeping an eye on this thread to see if you find any solutions... and also to post links if I happen to come across anything. My search for the perfect notebook is perpetual, so I hope you have better luck than I have.

As an aside, the VdF arrived lightning quick by Friday, but I was at work so had to pick it up Saturday. Wonderfully packaged. About to open it up now and "experience" it.

Another thought, which you've probably considered but I'll throw it out there...

I think one can order Clairefontaine in various colors, and I know they also make envelopes. It's certainly translucent enough to see guide lines through it; the unlined pad comes with one page of a lined guide sheet anyway. If you can get the Clairefontaine in the colors you want, it's certainly very smooth with straight-cut edges.

As for $$, I don't know what you consider reasonable, but if you have the thrifty streak that I do, you will probably raise your eyebrows at the price tag.

BZZZZT. Wrong Answer. At least so far as I can find, the Triomphe pad paper and stationery at least in
the US Does Not come in colors. Some of the *notebooks* come in pastels but wirebound paper won't really do
for letter writing. There is Clairefontaine Trophee copy type paper that comes in pastels but a thorough Googling
shows that only in Europe and in ream sizes.

However, you basic premise would be correct.

I *would* be interested (in fact, Very Interested) in a pastel blue Clairefontaine writing pad or stationery.


Bruce in Ocala, FL

Try Crane & Co. and also ELCO.

It might be more difficult to match a colour / finish than you think in a high-grade paper which is FP friendly. I would also contact a paper house /print shop that specializes in quality presentation / letterhead / wedding / etc papers, and request samples of papers in the weight range you are after (about ~100gsm, 23/24lb), and the colours blues to grey. (A small sample selection might cost a few dollars.)

I have sample booklets from many paper suppliers in Australia... not as convenient as ordering a quantity of notebooks in your favourite colour / size, and matching envelopes can be difficult, but I have found some wonderful papers I would never have otherwise discovered. I found a few I liked, bought them in A4 bulk sizes, and just cut them up into half-size sheets when I feel like that size for correspondence etc.

I love Crane papers but I seriously doubt you'll find one transparent enough to show guide lines through. They are heavy cotton-based papers, luscious and very environmentally friendly but you won't be able to see anything through them.

I know I've seen Clairefontaine papers in colors (probably on eBay), but they weren't the Triomphe variety. I've seen their "Pollen" line but I think that's too bright and probably too thick for this set of requirements.

You know, you wouldn'd think it would be THIS DA*N DIFFIUCLT now would you?

All I want is some decent light blue writing paper and matching envelopes really...(OK maybe a couple
more requirements than that but not much)

I remember going on-line not 3 years ago and seeing numerous places with well over 100 different
types and colors of stationery.

They don't appear to be around anymore...

Screams way too loudly to me the rein the "digitial age" has on "the masses".

It's sad...

Bruce in Ocala, FL

This might sound strange, but there are some photocopier/printer papers that might suit your needs. I'm thinking of some of the heavier-weight papers that are used for resumes and other formal documents. Some of them come with matching envelopes. You might have to buy an entire ream of 500 sheets, though. I took a look at some of the paper I got when I used to work at a photocopy-shop-that-shall-not-be-named, but unfortunately there are no watermarks so I can't tell you which ones I have here that work with fountain pens. I'll see if I can find any samples that I am able to identify. I have all kinds of odds and ends.

I believe Mohawk Paper offers envelopes as well as their papers, and you can get free swatchbooks and sample sheets to try. See this thread for details.

It might be more fuss than you want to go through, especially since Mohawk can point you towards retailers, but not sell in retail quantities directly.

Very nice paper though.

Strathmore Writing and Neenah Classic both come in blues, and the 24# is more than thin enough to see a line guide through. The Wove finish is nice and smooth. My ream of Neenah cost me about $17 at Anchor Paper.

As noted by Songbird, the Strathmore is very good fp friendly paper. I use the Strathmore Script Laid Smooth, 24 lb. Heather Cream paper. You can find it here although you might get a better price elsewhere. They have matching envelopes as well.

This is a link to the paper I use:
http://www.thepapermillstore.com/product.p...;narrowby=color
ALink to their blue paper:
http://www.thepapermillstore.com/product.p...;narrowby=color
Link to selection page:
http://www.thepapermillstore.com/pages.php?pageid=646

I would be willing to send you a couple sheet for you to test or you can order a free sample book from Mohawk Paper.

http://www.mohawkpaper.com
Hope this helps.

Regards,
Nolan

Uh - I'm pretty sure they have the Clairefontaine color stationery at the local stationery shop here on Broadway in NYC (in the US. ) I recall because I passed it over because it was color, and continued my search for white envelopes - found at a stationery store 3 blocks away.)

I'm always amazed at what I can find within 5 blocks of my office.

Try http://www.xpedx.com/Locations/default.aspx Xpedx has locations in Florida. They carry Mohawk and Neenah papers, along with many other brands.

Brock

Are you able to get G Lalo Verge de France in the US?
They do pink and blue papers, with matching envelopes, which I believe will suit most of your requirements.
Leonie

Bruce---The problem is going to be finding a colored paper that you can see guidelines through. Colored papers tend to be more opaque by nature. I just went through a number of sample books and couldn't find anything that would show a ruled sheet through it.

My recommendation would be to see if you can find the following at a local print shop, and try them out. Or find the local paper distributor, and see if they can provide you with sample books or samples of paper. You could also order samples directly from the mills.

Becket Cambric: "Blue Heather" From Mohawk Mills. It is a linen surface, but very subtle embossing.

Classic Laid "Whitestone" from Neenah Paper. Another subtle embossing, more of a light gray, granite sort of color.

With these two you will get a little feedback from the paper, but it's not scratchy or unpleasant. they are made for electronic copying, so the textures are not as pronounced as you might expect.

Royal Fiber "Ice Blue" from Wausau Paper. A blue granite type, but smooth, not textured.

The above are all fountain pen friendly, though are more or less opaque. You would likely need a light box to see a ruled sheet behind them. Check the manufacturer's websites to see if there are matching envelops, but I think you will find that there are. These are sold by the ream in 8 1/2 x 11", but a local outlet or printer may sell them by the sheet.


Edit: I just checked out Nolan"s link for blue pinstripe laid, which is not in may sample book, but might be the best bet. Their white pinstripe laid is very nice, and if you cut the sheet in half, the laid pattern is horizontal instead of vertical. Again, the texture is very subtle and not bothersome. I'm going to check this one out myself.



Beware of Haviland Blue" Classic Linen from Neenah Paper, looks nice, but spreads/feathers badly!



Hope this helps.

Dan