One of our Special Collections librarians, John Henry Adams, will be teaching a course with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in February. The class is entitled “From Currency to Wrapping Paper: The History of Decorated Papers” and will provide a concise overview of paper decoration from around the world. After a brief introduction to the manufacture of handmade paper, we will focus on three major approaches to paper decoration, using (1) printing technology, (2) paint directly on the paper, and (3) ink or paint suspended on liquid. In addition to the different types of paper, there will also be a discussion of how the papers were used historically.
If the course is of interest to you, more information can be found here.