This small book by Dard Hunter was first published in 1931 and has recently been reprinted by Oak Knoll Books. Those of you who are familiar with the works of Dard Hunter have undoubtedly found that most of his books, including this one, are rather elusive, the major exception being his book, Papermaking: The History and Technique of an Ancient Craft (Knopf, New York, 1943; 2nd edition, 1947; reprinted by Dover, New York, 1978). The majority of Hunter's books were hand printed and published in limited editions, and today one of those books may cost in excess of $6000. The few notable exceptions to these are the aforementioned Papermaking...; Hunter's autobiography, My Life with Paper (Knopf,
Papermaking...; Hunter's autobiography, My Life with Paper (Knopf, New York, 1958); and now this reprint.
New York, 1958); and now this reprint. In many ways, Papermaking in the Classroom was a forerunner to the 1943 book. Always striving to educate as well as to instruct and entertain, Hunter uses the first three of the four chapters to
entertain, Hunter uses the first three of the four chapters to review the history of ancient writing supports and the development
review the history of ancient writing supports and the development of papermaking. In Chapter 1, Writing Materials, Hunter describes
of papermaking. In Chapter 1, Writing Materials, Hunter describes the precursors to paper: stone, brick, metal, leaf and bark,
the precursors to paper: stone, brick, metal, leaf and bark, parchment and vellum, and papyrus. In Chapter II, How the First
parchment and vellum, and papyrus. In Chapter II, How the First Paper Was Made, he covers the Chinese invention, speculating on the
Paper Was Made, he covers the Chinese invention, speculating on the raw materials and the moulds used in these earliest papers. Here he
raw materials and the moulds used in these earliest papers. Here he discusses traditional European pulp preparation, and gives a
discusses traditional European pulp preparation, and gives a description of laid and wove moulds. This chapter ends with a
description of laid and wove moulds. This chapter ends with a review of the invention of the papermaking machines, both
review of the invention of the papermaking machines, both Fourdrinier and cylinder.
Fourdrinier and cylinder. Chapter III, Modern Paper-making from Rags is a comprehensive tour
Chapter III, Modern Paper-making from Rags is a comprehensive tour through a mill and Hunter reviews the papermaking process from the
through a mill and Hunter reviews the papermaking process from the collection of rags through to the finished paper. I found the
collection of rags through to the finished paper. I found the description of the machinery in this chapter to be fascinating and
description of the machinery in this chapter to be fascinating and it seems to me that the subject is covered here in greater detail
it seems to me that the subject is covered here in greater detail than in Hunter's other books. Many illustrations were supplied from
than in Hunter's other books. Many illustrations were supplied from mills such as the L. L. Brown Paper Company in North Adams,
mills such as the L. L. Brown Paper Company in North Adams, Massachusetts. This was the last American company to make handmade
Massachusetts. This was the last American company to make handmade paper on a commercial basis, the operation ceasing in 1907. The
paper on a commercial basis, the operation ceasing in 1907. The machinery illustrated was probably the same that was used to prepare
machinery illustrated was probably the same that was used to prepare the rag pulp for ledger papers made either by hand or on the
the rag pulp for ledger papers made either by hand or on the machine.
machine. Finally, it is with Chapter IV, Papermaking for Amateurs, that
Finally, it is with Chapter IV, Papermaking for Amateurs, that Hunter gets into the practical aspects of papermaking for children.
Hunter gets into the practical aspects of papermaking for children. He describes selecting the raw materials and recommends well worn,
He describes selecting the raw materials and recommends well worn, cotton rags; cooking and chemically processing the rags; beating and
cotton rags; cooking and chemically processing the rags; beating and macerating the material; making moulds, deckles, and watermarks; and
macerating the material; making moulds, deckles, and watermarks; and forming, couching, pressing, and drying the sheets. Also discussed
forming, couching, pressing, and drying the sheets. Also discussed are sizing and coloring. In addition to the text, all of the steps
are sizing and coloring. In addition to the text, all of the steps involving the formation of the paper are accompanied by numerous
involving the formation of the paper are accompanied by numerous photographs of Hunter's two sons, Dard Jr. and Cornell, then 14 and
photographs of Hunter's two sons, Dard Jr. and Cornell, then 14 and 12 years of age, respectively. Apart from their obvious charm,
12 years of age, respectively. Apart from their obvious charm, these photographs would have served to create a sense of familiarity
these photographs would have served to create a sense of familiarity for the school children who were reading the book which, after all,
for the school children who were reading the book which, after all, contains a great deal of rather unfamiliar technical information.
contains a great deal of rather unfamiliar technical information. It must have been with a sense of relief that the child came across
It must have been with a sense of relief that the child came across photographs of boys looking so confident and accomplished as
photographs of boys looking so confident and accomplished as evidenced by their handmade sheets of paper drying over ropes in the
evidenced by their handmade sheets of paper drying over ropes in the background.
background. Hunter made one particular recommendation in this chapter to aid in
Hunter made one particular recommendation in this chapter to aid in the maceration of the cooked rags. He states: "While it is more
the maceration of the cooked rags. He states: "While it is more agreeable to have the proper equipment for any kind of work, the
agreeable to have the proper equipment for any kind of work, the absence of a small beater need not deter any school from making
absence of a small beater need not deter any school from making paper... While this [the unraveling and fraying of the rag pieces]
paper... While this [the unraveling and fraying of the rag pieces] can be accomplished by the use of knives and scissors, it will be
can be accomplished by the use of knives and scissors, it will be much quicker and less fatiguing to employ an old-fashioned meat
much quicker and less fatiguing to employ an old-fashioned meat chopper or grinder for the purpose of maceration. With a common
chopper or grinder for the purpose of maceration. With a common grinder, such as forms a part of every kitchen equipment, sufficient
grinder, such as forms a part of every kitchen equipment, sufficient stock or stuff can be reduced to fiber in a few minutes to form
stock or stuff can be reduced to fiber in a few minutes to form several good-sized sheets of paper." Henry Morris, in the Foreword
several good-sized sheets of paper." Henry Morris, in the Foreword to this reprint, describes his own unsuccessful experiences with the
to this reprint, describes his own unsuccessful experiences with the meat grinder. But he quite rightly points out, "...Hunter suggested
meat grinder. But he quite rightly points out, "...Hunter suggested these improvisations because he wanted by any means, to encourage
these improvisations because he wanted by any means, to encourage his young readers to persist and in the end make a sheet of their
his young readers to persist and in the end make a sheet of their own paper."
own paper." Challenged by the meat grinder issue, I decided to discover for
Challenged by the meat grinder issue, I decided to discover for myself if indeed there was any chance one could use a meat grinder
myself if indeed there was any chance one could use a meat grinder as a "beater." I had some well worn, cotton rags left over from my
as a "beater." I had some well worn, cotton rags left over from my papermaking days at Syracuse University. I cooked an ounce of dry
papermaking days at Syracuse University. I cooked an ounce of dry rags in water for an hour after cutting them into 1 x 1 inch
rags in water for an hour after cutting them into 1 x 1 inch squares. Then I cooked the rags in a caustic soda solution (6 cups
squares. Then I cooked the rags in a caustic soda solution (6 cups of water:1 ounce of sodium hydroxide, volume to weight) for one
of water:1 ounce of sodium hydroxide, volume to weight) for one hour, following this with a few water rinses. I borrowed an old
hour, following this with a few water rinses. I borrowed an old fashioned meat grinder with a set of cutting blade rings, one of
fashioned meat grinder with a set of cutting blade rings, one of which is screwed to the front of the grinder with a nut. The
which is screwed to the front of the grinder with a nut. The material being processed is extruded through the front metal plate
material being processed is extruded through the front metal plate which has a number of holes. When forced between this plate and the
which has a number of holes. When forced between this plate and the rotating blades on the ring, the material is cut and ground
rotating blades on the ring, the material is cut and ground simultaneously.
simultaneously. I proceeded to grind the rags, one small piece at a time, using the
I proceeded to grind the rags, one small piece at a time, using the coarsest ring. I found that, for this first pass, the grinder would
coarsest ring. I found that, for this first pass, the grinder would handle only one piece of rag at a time. Once I got the hang of it,
handle only one piece of rag at a time. Once I got the hang of it, though, I changed to the finer, "Bread Crumb" ring, and fed the pulp
though, I changed to the finer, "Bread Crumb" ring, and fed the pulp through twice. Placed into a large quantity of water, the pulp
through twice. Placed into a large quantity of water, the pulp separated into fines and fibers with some small knots. It did not
separated into fines and fibers with some small knots. It did not produce a beautiful sheet of paper, but one which probably would
produce a beautiful sheet of paper, but one which probably would have pleased any child as a first effort. My only objection to this
have pleased any child as a first effort. My only objection to this technique is that the pulp turned grey, due to metal-against-metal
technique is that the pulp turned grey, due to metal-against-metal contamination. In the 1930's, every household probably had a meat
contamination. In the 1930's, every household probably had a meat grinder, and for homework each child could have ground a handful of
grinder, and for homework each child could have ground a handful of processed rag for papermaking the next day. With this information
processed rag for papermaking the next day. With this information in mind, therefore, I do not think that Hunter's idea was either
in mind, therefore, I do not think that Hunter's idea was either far-fetched or unrealistic, given the difficulty of obtaining a
far-fetched or unrealistic, given the difficulty of obtaining a beater.
beater. My only real criticism of this book is a general lack of specific
My only real criticism of this book is a general lack of specific weights and measures. Of course it would have been difficult for
weights and measures. Of course it would have been difficult for Hunter to anticipate the actual quality of rags which elementary
Hunter to anticipate the actual quality of rags which elementary school children might have been able to procure. Therefore the
school children might have been able to procure. Therefore the exact amount and type of chemicals and the time required to soften
exact amount and type of chemicals and the time required to soften any rags to a "grindable" state would have differed considerably.
any rags to a "grindable" state would have differed considerably. Technically, the quality of this reprint is quite good. The format
Technically, the quality of this reprint is quite good. The format is slightly larger than the original, and the text is easy to read.
is slightly larger than the original, and the text is easy to read. The paper is 80 lb. Mohawk Vellum acid-free, and it has a pleasing
The paper is 80 lb. Mohawk Vellum acid-free, and it has a pleasing color and feel. The only criticism I have of the reprint is the
color and feel. The only criticism I have of the reprint is the quality of the illustrations. When I compared the reprint with the
quality of the illustrations. When I compared the reprint with the original, it was obvious that the reproductions in the reprint had
original, it was obvious that the reproductions in the reprint had lost considerable detail. In most cases this is not crucial.
lost considerable detail. In most cases this is not crucial. However, one illustration, labeled "A modern hand-made paper mill,"
However, one illustration, labeled "A modern hand-made paper mill," is so poorly reproduced that the letters in the photograph, which
is so poorly reproduced that the letters in the photograph, which are referenced in the caption underneath, are very difficult to
are referenced in the caption underneath, are very difficult to decipher.
decipher. Today, this book would not appear to be very useful. Indeed more
Today, this book would not appear to be very useful. Indeed more and better information about the practical aspects of papermaking is
and better information about the practical aspects of papermaking is being published every year. As this is the case, why reprint this
being published every year. As this is the case, why reprint this book? Because there has been a steadily growing interest in hand
book? Because there has been a steadily growing interest in hand papermaking over the last twenty years, there has been a
papermaking over the last twenty years, there has been a complementary interest in the writings of Dard Hunter. Today, as a
complementary interest in the writings of Dard Hunter. Today, as a result of Hunter's books and those of his predecessors, there are
result of Hunter's books and those of his predecessors, there are several commercially successful hand papermaking businesses, a fact
several commercially successful hand papermaking businesses, a fact that would have pleased Hunter enormously. The increasing numbers
that would have pleased Hunter enormously. The increasing numbers of these businesses, of papermaking studios in colleges and
of these businesses, of papermaking studios in colleges and universities, and of organizations catering to papermakers have
universities, and of organizations catering to papermakers have stimulated interest in early practical books like this one. I, for
stimulated interest in early practical books like this one. I, for one, hope that there is sufficient interest in reprinting Hunter's
one, hope that there is sufficient interest in reprinting Hunter's other, limited edition books, so that the information in them can be
other, limited edition books, so that the information in them can be more accessible to all of us.
more accessible to all of us. Cathy Baker

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