search for ‘lace’ paper from the past

 

Dear Ladies,

For years now, I have been searching for information about the special “lace” paper that was used a lot in the Netherlands in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s for birth announcement cards. I am very curious to find more information about the technique and the story behind this paper. How was it produced? So far, I haven’t been successful. I have enclosed some pictures of birth announcement cards so that you can see what I mean.

The paper has been pressed along the edge and oftentimes it was perforated as well resulting in this beautiful ‘lace’ detail. Companies that sold these cards were (among others) Menga (Milan, Italy), Mignon (Holland), Krüger (Germany), Brakkenstein (Holland) etc. A lot of these companies don’t exist anymore.

I was told that the paper quality that was used for this kind of cards is called ‘opaline’ or ‘Dutch Ivory Board’. It’s translucent and very pliable making it suitable for embossing/ perforating etc. I hope, by approaching you, to find more information.

-How was this paper made?
What technique/machine was used? Are these machines/parts still available? Is somebody still making this paper?

I truly hope that you can help me or can steer me into the right direction.

I greet you from Amsterdam and thank you in advance for your time,

Sincerely,

 

Lydia Scholte

I don’t know anything about that paper, Lydia, but I would think that you could recreate something to look VERY similar by using a border punch. They sell some very intricate and beautiful ones (as much as I hate to admit it, many of Martha Stewarts are very pretty), and you can find them at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, etc.

 

Stephanie

Hi Stephanie!

 

Thank you for your answer. Yes, I’m aware of those punchers. In fact I have some of those in my possession, even a Marthe Stewart one;-) These are especially fun and give good results for corners.To make a nice edge along one side is a different story however. That, I found is very difficult to line up so that it is clean and seamless. How was this done in the past? Where are those old fashioned die cutters/ steel stamps?

 

Have a good day! Regards from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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