Episode 81: The Thing About Gold Paper

This episode we're closing out the year with a visit to the homey confines of Uppercross Hall. There's a large group of children assembled, and festive merriment is afoot. Break out your favorite scissors and your glue of choice — it's time to get crafty with gold paper.

Daniel Gardner, "Portrait of Mary Sturt of Crichel and Her Three Eldest Children" circa 1777, pencil, pastel, and opaque watercolor.

Selected Sources:

• Burgess, Miranda. “Jane Austen on Paper.” European Romantic Review 29, no. 3 (May 4, 2018): 365–75. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509585.2018.1465696.

• Clarke, Hewson, and John Dougall. The Cabinet of Arts: Or, General Instructor in Arts, Science, Trade, Practical Machinery, the Means of Preserving Human Life, and Political Economy. T. Kinnersley, 1817.

• Dyer, Serena. Material Lives: Women Makers and Consumer Culture in the 18th Century. London ; New York: Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2020.

• Ketzer, Roswitha. “Metallic Paper: Its Manufacturing Process and Comparing Analysis.” Journal of Paper Conservation 21, no. 1 (January 2, 2020): 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/18680860.2020.1716928.

• Saint Louis University Special Collections. “Dutch Gilt Paper · The Binder’s Art.” Special Collections Past Exhibits. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://pius.slu.edu/special-collections-exhibits/exhibits/show/binder-s-art/decorative-papers/dutch-gilt-paper.

From Ketzer's article: Nine pamphlets with gold paper covers (The British Library, RB 23.a.4296, RB 23.a.4292, RB 23.b.455)