Method of making marbled paper
Date
8 January 1662
Creator
John Evelyn (1620 - 1706, British) , Diarist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p2
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 318mm
width (page): 200mm
width (page): 200mm
Subject
Description
Figures from John Evelyn's paper on how to make marbled paper.
Fig. 1 shows a pointed stick with which the liquid, sprinkled with several colours, is mixed.
Fig. 2 indicates how the pointed stick should be moved diagonally across the surface of the liquid in a trough.
Fig. 3 shows a comb used to comb the surface from one end of the trough to the other.
A paper is then carefully placed on the surface of this liquor to absorb the pattern, which should then be lifted up and dried.
This paper was read at the meeting of the Royal Society on 8 January 1662. Two weeks later, Evelyn's method was actually tried and it 'succeeded'.
There are copies of these images at RBO/1/139, RBC/1/143 and MS/776/128-29.
Fig. 1 shows a pointed stick with which the liquid, sprinkled with several colours, is mixed.
Fig. 2 indicates how the pointed stick should be moved diagonally across the surface of the liquid in a trough.
Fig. 3 shows a comb used to comb the surface from one end of the trough to the other.
A paper is then carefully placed on the surface of this liquor to absorb the pattern, which should then be lifted up and dried.
This paper was read at the meeting of the Royal Society on 8 January 1662. Two weeks later, Evelyn's method was actually tried and it 'succeeded'.
There are copies of these images at RBO/1/139, RBC/1/143 and MS/776/128-29.
Transcription
Marble Paper, by Mr. Evelyn
You must first prepare a trough of the shape and dimentions of the Largest sheete of paper commonly marbled. It may be made of Lead, or wood well joynted, pitch'd or primed so as to containe the liquor. Let it be deepe about fower fingers.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
You must first prepare a trough of the shape and dimentions of the Largest sheete of paper commonly marbled. It may be made of Lead, or wood well joynted, pitch'd or primed so as to containe the liquor. Let it be deepe about fower fingers.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
8 January 1662, ‘Mr. Evelyn read an Account of the making of marbled paper; which was ordered to be registered’ (Birch 1:69).
22 January 1662, ‘The experiment of making marbled paper was made by a man introduced by the amanuensis; which succeeded, according to Mr. Evelyn’s description of that method’ (Birch 1:70).
22 January 1662, ‘The experiment of making marbled paper was made by a man introduced by the amanuensis; which succeeded, according to Mr. Evelyn’s description of that method’ (Birch 1:70).
Related fellows
John Evelyn (1620 - 1706, British) , Diarist
Robert Moray (1608 - 1673, British) , Natural philosopher
Robert Moray (1608 - 1673, British) , Natural philosopher
Associated place