Bull's Head and Mermaid - The Bernstein Project - Österreichische ...

Additional Motif – Beizeichen
Secondary parts of a watermark motif, e.g. the flower above a
bull’s head.
Beta Radiography – Betaradiographie
A type of X-ray photography that reveals differences in a paper’s
thickness. A thin, slightly radioactive plate is placed on one side of
the paper and on the other side, x-ray film. The structure of the
screen and the watermark are reproduced as dark lines, since here
the paper is thinner, therefore letting the radiation pass through
easier.
Chain Lines – Binde-, Steg- oder Kettdrähte
The wires used to re-enforce the laid lines in a paper mould’s
screen. See Mould.
Electron Radiography – Elektronenradiographie
A type of X-ray photography that reveals differences in a paper’s
thickness. A piece of lead foil is placed on one side of the paper
and on the other, X-ray film. X-rays produce electrons on the lead
foil, and according to the thickness of the paper, these are absorbed
by the film in different amounts, thus making the structure
of the mould’s screen and the watermark visible as dark lines.
Filigranology – Filigranologie
A complementary field in historical studies: the study of watermarks
(Fr. filigrane – watermark). The French word filigrane is related
to how wire figures for watermarks were produced, i.e. usually
with silver wire. See Wire Watermark Emblem.
Großregalformat
A historical paper format (also called Imperial or Großformat) usually
measuring 500 x 740 mm. This format was recorded as early as
1308 in Bologna. See Kanzleiformat.
Identical watermarks – Identische Wasserzeichen
Watermarks that are absolutely identical.
Image Subtraction – Bildsubtraktionsverfahren
A method for reproducing watermarks. A top light and a rear light
photo are taken. By means of photo editing software, the first image
is subtracted from the second. The only differences between
the two photos lie in the paper’s structure and the watermark, and
thus this is what remains when one image has been subtracted
from the other.
Kanzleiformat
A historical paper format (carta reçute) usually measuring 315 x
450 mm. The size of this very common format can be traced back
to a well-known Bolognese format that dates to around 1300.
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Glossary
Laid Lines – Boden- oder Rippdrähte
The tightly parallel wires in a paper mould’s screen, which are reenforced
by means of perpendicular chain lines that are spaced at
wider intervals. See Mould.
Motifs of Watermarks See Type of Watermarks
Mould – Schöpfsieb
A form for making paper that is made of a removable frame (the
deckle) and a screen made of wire that is attached to a fixed
wooden frame. This wire screen is made of parallel tightly running
laid or ribbing wires, to which perpendicular chain lines or warp
wires are attached. These are placed above wooden cross pieces
that stabilize the screen. A wire figure is attached to the screen’s
surface to form a watermark.
Wooden Frame; Removable Deckle Frame; Wire Watermark Emblem;
Cross Piece; Chain Line or Warp Wire; Laid Line or Ribbing Wire
Pastedown – Spiegel
In bookbinding, a piece of paper that is glued to the inner side of
the front and back covers of the book.
Ream – Ries
A unit to measure a quantity of paper (Ger. Ries; from Arab. rizma = a
bundle). Originally a ream was 480 sheets of paper; from about 1500
and the introduction of printing, it became 500 sheets; finally from
the 19 th century it counted 1,000 sheets. One ream contains 20
quires, each of 24 or 25 sheets, and 10 reams forms a bale.
Ribbing Wire See Laid Line
Rubbing – Abreibung
Placing a thin piece of paper over a watermark and carefully rubbing
with a soft piece of graphite or a pencil produces a copy of
the watermark. The uneven surface of handmade paper enables
the shape of the watermark to be transferred to the rubbing paper.
Sheet of Paper – Papierbogen
A sheet of paper that is formed in the paper mould out of the
paper pulp.
Tracing – Durchzeichnung
A watermark copy made by tracing its shape onto thin paper.
Twinmarks – Wasserzeichenpaar
Paper was usually made at a vat with two alternating moulds. Wire
watermark forms of the same shape would be attached to both.
Although these were often very similar, they were never the same.
Because of the pair of paper moulds, watermarks always are found
in pairs (“Watermarks are Twins”).