Archaeology of a Book: An experimental approach to reading rare books in archival contexts Main Menu Introduction Reading the First Books is an exploration of America's earliest printed books Path: Production This path explores the narratives of production embedded in the material qualities of the Advertencias. Path: Collection Path describes the collection of early printed books in religious libraries across Mexico. 16-18th centuries. Path: Acquisition Path describes the dispersal of early printed books in libraries and private collections beyond Mexican borders. Path: (Digital) Futures Book history in a digital future References References, citations, and further reading Terms Index of terms Authorship & Acknowledgements LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collection

Watermark

4358
"A distinguishing mark, lettering, or design made in paper during manufacture and visible when the sheet is held up to light. Watermarks were used in Italy during the 13th century, being made from wire twisted into simple geometric shapes. While originally used as trade-marks, in the course of time they developed into designations of size, hence pott<\i> had a jug as a watermark, foolscape<\i> had a cap and bells, post<\i> had a post-horn, etc.

"In hand made paper the wire design is sewn or soldered to the mould on which the sheet is formed, causing the fibres [sic] to lie thinner where they touch it. Early watermarks were copied and many appear confusingly similar. In these instances the position of dots, occurring at each of many places where a thread of wire was used to fasten the watermark to the mesh, will assist in identifying sheets made in one mould" (Glaister 508).

This page has paths:

  1. Terms Hannah Alpert-Abrams