The Papermill of Basel - worth a trip
Discovering the Basel paper mill was an event full of pleasant insights, making it a worthwhile visit. The paper mill in Basel is located in the St. Alban valley. Its complex is off the usual tourist streets, in a scenic arrangement of historical houses, besides a canal that provides the waterpower to run the milling wheel.
Since 1480 the two buildings have been the place of paper production. The mill has been owned by several families, who have lived off their craft. But from 1980 on the paper mill opened as a museum with a delightful focus for anyone into type or typography: the production of paper, the history and development of writing, the production of type and printing and the binding of books.
The inside of the exhibit space is beautifully arranged with displays, inviting the visitor to experience production processes by oneself. On the ground floor –the reign of the paper mill– the visitor gets to retrace the way rags and old cloths get stamped to mash that leads, after stirring procedures, to a watery papier-mâché. Using a water strainer, the visitor can do the hand papermaking him/herself. The 1st floor is dedicated to writing. The history of writing and punch cutting is recaptured in various rooms. The writing lab, one of these lovely atmospheric rooms, hosts feathers and broad nipped pens for the visitor to experiment with his/her writing skills. Casting punches with liquid lead poured into the matrices is another highlight on this floor. This is topped by the black art (printing) on the second floor, where the printing process and history is elaborately illustrated. Here visitors can be part of a typesetting and printing workshop. A climb up the wooden staircase then reveals the bookbinding lab on the third floor, where beautiful historical examples of books wait to be studied.
The historical and unique atmosphere, and the friendly support of the many employees make these craft stations particularly enjoyable. Visitors get to ask question and will learn their answers by doing. The support of the employees encourages a vivid interaction and nourishes the appreciation of craftsmanship.
Small care for details, such as the leaflet of the floor plan, demonstrate the skilful creativeness of the entire exhibit – for all type and typography lovers, a precious destination.
More information: www.papiermuseum.ch
Since 1480 the two buildings have been the place of paper production. The mill has been owned by several families, who have lived off their craft. But from 1980 on the paper mill opened as a museum with a delightful focus for anyone into type or typography: the production of paper, the history and development of writing, the production of type and printing and the binding of books.
The inside of the exhibit space is beautifully arranged with displays, inviting the visitor to experience production processes by oneself. On the ground floor –the reign of the paper mill– the visitor gets to retrace the way rags and old cloths get stamped to mash that leads, after stirring procedures, to a watery papier-mâché. Using a water strainer, the visitor can do the hand papermaking him/herself. The 1st floor is dedicated to writing. The history of writing and punch cutting is recaptured in various rooms. The writing lab, one of these lovely atmospheric rooms, hosts feathers and broad nipped pens for the visitor to experiment with his/her writing skills. Casting punches with liquid lead poured into the matrices is another highlight on this floor. This is topped by the black art (printing) on the second floor, where the printing process and history is elaborately illustrated. Here visitors can be part of a typesetting and printing workshop. A climb up the wooden staircase then reveals the bookbinding lab on the third floor, where beautiful historical examples of books wait to be studied.
The historical and unique atmosphere, and the friendly support of the many employees make these craft stations particularly enjoyable. Visitors get to ask question and will learn their answers by doing. The support of the employees encourages a vivid interaction and nourishes the appreciation of craftsmanship.
Small care for details, such as the leaflet of the floor plan, demonstrate the skilful creativeness of the entire exhibit – for all type and typography lovers, a precious destination.
More information: www.papiermuseum.ch
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