Historical paste boards

This is an appeal to book and paper conservators concerning the
production of paste boards in historical quality

There are no specialist suppliers for hand-made or couched boards as
they were produced until about 1800. One exception is Gabi
Kleindorfer in Vilsheim, Germany, whose quality of boards, however,
is not satisfying. Kleindorfer's boards may be used to repair
damaged board corners because they can easily be split up. However,
they are not adapted to replace boards damaged by mould because the
different layers do not hold together tightly enough so that leather
or parchment glued onto them tends to split because of the tension.

I have discussed the issue with Gabi Kleindorfer and the Berlin
paper maker Gangolf Ulbricht. Gabi Kleindorfer agrees with me and
would be interested in supplying new boards. Gangolf Ulbricht told
me that he had been thinking about producing such a type of board
for quite some time and that he would be interested in making it.
However, he would need samples from conservators which would give
him an idea about the desired quality.

All those interested in the matter who have a need for boards as
they were made in the 16th and 17th centuries, please, send samples
from this period (if available) to Gangolf Ulbricht and don't forget
to indicate the age on the sample. Gangolf Ulbricht will send back
samples that are needed again after the testing phase is over.
Please mark the samples that you wish to have back.

All those having information at hand on the production of handmade
boards, I kindly ask to send it to Gangolf Ulbricht (bibliography of
literature or print-outs of articles on the subject). I should very
much appreciate if you contact me in case you know of any other
producer of hand-made boards.

The address of the German papermaker is:

    Dipl. Ing. Gangolf Ulbricht,
    Mariannenplatz 2
    D-10997 Berlin

Martin Strebel
Atelier fur Buch- und Papierrestaurierung
Bahnhofstrasse 15
CH-5502 Hunzenschwil
+41 62 897 39 70
Fax: +41 62 897 00 46


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:49
                  Distributed: Friday, January 9, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-17-49-017
                                  ***