Archive for the ‘linen paper’ tag
Historic Newspapers Network Launches
The Historic Newspapers Network launched today as an educational and social community for all those interested in the world of rare and historic newspapers – authors, historians, collectors, dealers, institutions, history buffs, educators, etc. You’re encouraged to join, contribute and collaborate.
The term rag linen, as used in the web address raglinen.ning.com, has significant meaning in newspaper history. Prior to 1870, newspapers were printed on very durable rag linen paper, which was made from the linen in clothes and ship sails. So newspapers from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars are actually in better condition than last week’s New York Times, which is probably already yellow and brittle because it was printed on wood pulp.
The durability of rag linen newspapers from the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s makes them an excellent collectible and primary source of historic research. After all, these are history’s first drafts. Follow the Historic Newspapers Network on Twitter @raglinen