Made possibly in the 1950s or 60s, these were made as an alternative, less expensive version of real animal parchment.
Uses include:
calligraphy, botanical watercolour, legal documents and certificates
The manufacturing process was a closely guarded secret but loosely involved boiling the fibres (linen or cotton rag) for a long time followed by a long stint in the Hollander beater which helped give the fibres a hardness and translucency not normally required in everyday paper.
We are not entirely sure who made these papers but we're best-guessing at WS Hodgkinson of Wookey Hole, Somerset.
Size:
560 x 440 mm, 22 x 17 1/4 inches
Weight:
130 - 160gsm
Surface:
130gsm - smooth with a very very subtle tooth, akin to goatskin parchment.
160gsm - smooth, closer to calfskin parchment
Watermark:
BRITISH HANDMADE
SOLD IN PACKS OF 3 SHEETS