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Show 32 PAPERMAKIN generally formed with open bill, which, according to the authorities on symbolism, denotes the dawn of light. Birds of many kind and sizes furnished a multitude of devices for the old paper workers in n-mer their handiwork W find also in unlimite num bers, representations of fish, as well as of every crustacean anima of the se During the first ifiy years of papermaking in the America Colonies there sill existed among craftsmen a love for symboli design which was manifested in the watermarks of the period. Bu by the middle of the eighteenth century superstition and symbolism began to lose hold upon the artisans, and from that time, i the Colonies as in Europe, symbolic watermarks and printers ‘marks bega to fall into disuse. Watermark wit an emblemati significance were not uncommon in the carly papermaking history of Pennsylvania, and the pioneer workers of this region wer responsible for the most unusual specimens. New England, whic i h the first paper mill in the Colonies was cstab bt Pcnnsyla o a xmcd in his undertaking by William Br1dford the first printer i Pennsylvania and New York, and two other worthy gentlemen. T all probability the papermaking moulds used by this mill had bee rought from the principal founder's native hnd and were n doubt plain moulds, without watermarks.The first watermar used in Rittenhouse paper was the single wom "Company," designating the original partnership. Judging fro muscmdm it wa fashioned by untrained and unskilled hands, probably by one o the mill workmen unaccustomed to forming objects in wire. Thi Digital Imag © 2004 University of Utah. All rights reserved |
