Book review: "Making Paper" by Bo Rudin

[zerobuttons]

Short review of the book "Making Paper" by Bo Rudin:

 

Browsing an antiquarian bookshop a couple of months ago, I found a book that immediately caught my eye. It was written by a Swede in English, it was about paper and it was about the technical aspects of the process making paper.

I just finished reading the book today and I believe that others here may find it interesting. The book describes the history of paper-making technology quite thoroughly. The author has first-hand experience and knowledge from the Swedish paper industry and from working for a while in a Japanese workshop still producing handmade paper today, and a section of the book is the story of a man working in one of the large Swedish paper mills in the first half of the 20. century, told by himself. Hence, the focus is largely on the history of the Swedish paper industry, but technologies used in other places of the world and at other times are also covered. There are quite a lot of drawings and photos.

The last chapter of the book deals with paper used in art today. The book is probably actually interesting for both people interested in the technical aspects of paper-making and people interested in handmade paper as an artistical medium.

 

I see that other antiquarian bookshops in Scandinavia have the book, if you want to read it. Search for the author Bo Rudin here:

http://www.antikvariat.net/english.cgi

Edited April 25, 2009 by zerobuttons

[Neshobe]

I have been fascinated by paper since I was a child, and as an adult got the opportunity to take an extensive course in hands-on papermaking. I have several books that I've picked up over the years on papermaking but missed that one. I found it on Amazon, which has several used copied listed for around 40 USD. It looks clearly written. For paper freaks like me, might be worth picking up. Looks like a good basic resource.

 

One of the books I have is "Papermaking, the History and Technique of an Ancient Craft", by Dard Hunter. Originally published in 1947, my copy is a reprint by Dover Books of the original. It appears to be out of print now and not readily available. Too bad. It is a fascinating book: it is a comprehensive history and description of paper-making from its inception to modern day factory production, and goes into different techniques used by various cultures to this day (you can still buy paper made by the exact techniques described in the book). 460 pages are liberally illustrated text, and the rest is a detailed chronology, bibliography, book notes, and index.

 

If you are interested in paper and come across a copy of this book, I'd grab it!

 

Neshobe (aka Dayle Ann)

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One of the books I have is "Papermaking, the History and Technique of an Ancient Craft", by Dard Hunter.

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Mr. Hunter and his work and research is mentioned and credited several times in mr. Rudin´s book.

 

I found a copy of the 1978 edition of mr. Hunter´s book just now and bought it.