J. Whatman

Whatman were the masters of Western papermaking from the 1740s to the 1960s, making paper from linen and cotton rag of the highest possible quality from their Mill in Kent. J Whatman paper was used by artists such as Constable, Picasso, Gainsborough and J M W Turner as well as Atkins. It was also a preference for Queen Victoria and used by Napoleon, Wellington, and Washington, and to sign the Peace Treaty with Japan at the close of World War Two. The J Whatman paper used in this book was made before the first ever flight and has survived two world wars.

Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Imperfections

Two copies of the book have been made by Barker, one using original Whatman paper from 1897, and the second using Herschel paper, specially made by *Ruscombe Mill in 2022. The watermarked ‘J Whatman 1897’ paper manufactured in Maidstone, Kent, is the same paper and from the same mill that Atkins used for her cyanotype prints in the original book. The ‘Herschel’ paper was specially handmade with a unique watermark including the numeral ‘1’ to reference Volume 1.

Book 1 – Whatman paper (printed in May - August 2023).

Specifications: Whatman 1897 Turkey Mill Handmade White Deny Writing 67gsm 14lb – handmade at the Turkey Mill, Kent, England. Original J Whatman paper obtained from the Vintage Paper Co, Stromness. Book bound by Spink & Thackray, Leeds. Marbled end papers created by Kate Brett at Payhembury Marbled Papers.  

Book 2 – Herschel paper (printed in July - September 2022)

Specifications: Herschel Wove 110g/m2. Specially made by Frédéric Gironde, Artisan Papetier at the Ruscombe Mill, Margaux, France in June 2022. Made from 100% linen cellulose fibre from refined flax, inherently neutral, archival fibre with extremely long life. Watermarked with a specially created unique watermark bears reference to H (Herschel) FG (Frédéric Gironde) and the numeral 1 (making reference to Volume 1).  Book bound by Wyvern Bindery, London. Marbled end papers created by Jemma Lewis Marbling.

*Ruscombe Paper Mill was founded in the English Cotswolds in 1989, relocating to France in 1995, it produces the most comprehensive range of alternative fine papers in Europe made by hand.