{"id":6866,"date":"2020-07-06T01:16:50","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T01:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/?page_id=6866"},"modified":"2026-03-15T19:29:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T19:29:51","slug":"watermarks-and-the-history-of-paper","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/watermarks-and-the-history-of-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"Watermarks & the History of Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watermarks
\n&
\nThe History of Paper<\/h1>\n

With Specimen Samples<\/h2>\n
\"Rosette

Rosette Watermark in mid-15th-century Latin Book of Saints.<\/p><\/div>\n

[Posted on 5 July 2020, with updates<\/em>]<\/p>\n

We offer selected Samples or Specimens of watermarks for consideration, as we advance (individually and collectively) with gathering together some “sightings” of watermarks found in diverse locations \u2014 in manuscript, print, and other settings.\u00a0 Encountered in the course of research on multiple subjects, these Specimens demonstrate usages which may range widely in terms of geographical locations, purposes, languages, and dates or date-ranges.\u00a0 Some specimens are dated or datable.\u00a0 Some (not necessarily the same as those) are more or less localizable.<\/p>\n

Some have appeared on this site in blogposts, galleries, and the like. For example, see our blog<\/a> and its Contents List<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The variety may reveal, for example, the use of a given watermark in many different locations and at multiple dates in Western and non-Western settings.\u00a0 Identifying watermarks with a known, likely, or surmised place and span of production may also revise conjectural dates assigned to particular cases of use on stylistic grounds of script or decoration.\u00a0 Thus, a watermark of a known or approximately known date-range could establish that the written or printed production of the item must postdate the conjectured assignment.\u00a0 Bref, an awareness of the “sightings” of watermarks in diverse settings can offer a tool for better dating of specific materials.<\/p>\n

First, some Reference Points.\u00a0 Then a selection of Samples. or Specimens, grouped by categories of designs, accompanied by descriptions and, where available, pointers to similar or equivalent watermarks.<\/p>\n

Followed by a Mystery Bag, or Mystery Corner<\/strong>, with Samples calling for further identification, study, and classification.\u00a0 Plus a few Notes & Observations about Paper<\/strong>, arising along the way when considering particular specimens.<\/p>\n

We welcome your input, advice, corrections, suggestions, and information, including more Samples.<\/p>\n

Catalogues & Databases of Watermarks<\/h2>\n

Many resources online are dedicated to watermarks and the history of paper.<\/p>\n

Often they are “confined” to specific interests:<\/p>\n