Why Blue Paper?

Extracts from an article by Wisso Weiss

Why, since Aldus’s 1514 edition of Scritores rei rusticae, have a few ‘special’ copies of some books been printed on blue paper? These copies have been cherished since collectors & booksellers began assembling catalogues, but why blue? In 1959 the Gutenberg Jahrbuch published an article by paper historian Wisso Weiss titled “Blaues Papier für Druckzwecke” (Blue Paper for Printing). Although broader in scope than the specific question Why blue?, a few sections of the article speak to it directly. This chapbook presents translations of these sections, along with brief foreword & postscript that offer some additional historical content and details.

Set in Pablo Impallari’s version of Cancelleresca Bastarda, printed from polymer plates. The J. Whatman paper is a very thin mouldmade sheet with a blue tint. Sewn in sheets of Reg Lissel’s handmade rag paper that has been dyed blue. Edition of 42 press-numbered copies. Small 8vo, 12 pp. 2025 Copies available $150. Contact hm [at ] heavenlymonkey.com