 |  (Reverse side of both) |  |
SOURCE: Purchased on eBay
Blotting paper is a highly absorbent type of paper used to absorb an excess of liquid substances (such as ink or oil) from the surface of writing paper or objects. It was first manufactured in the United States by Joseph Parker & Son in 1856. Parker (no relation to Parker Pens) became the industry leader after recognizing the absorbent quality of softer paper sheets made without adding a binding element, or “sizing,” to the paper mixture. The result was a thicker card material that absorbed ink without damaging a pen’s nib or smudged written words.
During the era of widespread use of pen and ink to write with (pre-1950s), blotting paper was widely and frequently used. Businesses quickly recognized the potential for advertising on blotting paper, and began customizing sheets and strips (often bookmark size) with company marketing. Ink blotting paper, just like bookmarks, thus became a form of business card, often given away by the advertisers.
The two examples of vintage advertising blotting paper shown here, feature HRH Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) addressing Australian ex-Service men after World War 1. Edward, Prince of Wales arrived in Victoria, Australia on 2 April 1920, representing his father, George V, to thank Australians for their participation in the First World War. During the tour in which he was accompanied by Lord Louis Mountbatten, his railway carriage overturned near Bridgetown, Western Australia. However, the Prince remained unharmed, and later made light of the situation, (emerging from the wreck with some important papers and a cocktail shaker), an act which endeared him to Australians, and causing them to give him the nickname the "Digger Prince".
The reverse side of each blotting paper strip advertises Sunbeam Haberdashery and Paterson, Laing & Bruce, the then textile, clothing and footwear importers and wholesalers.
Whilst being blotting paper, these items are very bookmark like in size and style, so I have added them to my bookmark collection. They are certainly usable as bookmarks and one thing for sure, they will last longer as bookmarks than as blotting paper!
I procured these two items among 90 antique and vintage bookmarks in an eBay auction. Clearly the seller also considered them to be bookmarks.
Blotting paper is a highly absorbent type of paper used to absorb an excess of liquid substances (such as ink or oil) from the surface of writing paper or objects. It was first manufactured in the United States by Joseph Parker & Son in 1856. Parker (no relation to Parker Pens) became the industry leader after recognizing the absorbent quality of softer paper sheets made without adding a binding element, or “sizing,” to the paper mixture. The result was a thicker card material that absorbed ink without damaging a pen’s nib or smudged written words.
During the era of widespread use of pen and ink to write with (pre-1950s), blotting paper was widely and frequently used. Businesses quickly recognized the potential for advertising on blotting paper, and began customizing sheets and strips (often bookmark size) with company marketing. Ink blotting paper, just like bookmarks, thus became a form of business card, often given away by the advertisers.
The two examples of vintage advertising blotting paper shown here, feature HRH Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) addressing Australian ex-Service men after World War 1. Edward, Prince of Wales arrived in Victoria, Australia on 2 April 1920, representing his father, George V, to thank Australians for their participation in the First World War. During the tour in which he was accompanied by Lord Louis Mountbatten, his railway carriage overturned near Bridgetown, Western Australia. However, the Prince remained unharmed, and later made light of the situation, (emerging from the wreck with some important papers and a cocktail shaker), an act which endeared him to Australians, and causing them to give him the nickname the "Digger Prince".
The reverse side of each blotting paper strip advertises Sunbeam Haberdashery and Paterson, Laing & Bruce, the then textile, clothing and footwear importers and wholesalers.
Whilst being blotting paper, these items are very bookmark like in size and style, so I have added them to my bookmark collection. They are certainly usable as bookmarks and one thing for sure, they will last longer as bookmarks than as blotting paper!
I procured these two items among 90 antique and vintage bookmarks in an eBay auction. Clearly the seller also considered them to be bookmarks.
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