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NEWSPAPERING, I
a summary of “Decorating the Appalachian House” by Charles E. Martin, 1982.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/40932440
Papering walls has been the normal practice in parts of Appalachia for at least eighty years for at least two reasons - lack of cash for paint (commercial
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a summary of “Decorating the Appalachian House” by Charles E. Martin, 1982.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/40932440
Papering walls has been the normal practice in parts of Appalachia for at least eighty years for at least two reasons - lack of cash for paint (commercial
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wallpaper became available in parts of eastern Kentucky only in the 1940’s) and because properly applied paper served as insulation.
The most far-reaching decorative method, in terms of wide appeal and individualization, was the papering of interior walls with newspapers,
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The most far-reaching decorative method, in terms of wide appeal and individualization, was the papering of interior walls with newspapers,
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catalogs, and magazines.
A log wall first had to be prepared for papering with heavy paper or cardboard to smooth out surfaces. Large holes were filled with wads of rolled paper or burlap, since the wallpaper would split over any open spaces as the paste dried. A board
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A log wall first had to be prepared for papering with heavy paper or cardboard to smooth out surfaces. Large holes were filled with wads of rolled paper or burlap, since the wallpaper would split over any open spaces as the paste dried. A board
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and batten house had straighter walls and needed less preparation.
Paper was adhered with a paste made from boiled water and flour which was mixed to the right consistency. One former paperer recalled: “You take your hand and get all the lumps out of it. Then you
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Paper was adhered with a paste made from boiled water and flour which was mixed to the right consistency. One former paperer recalled: “You take your hand and get all the lumps out of it. Then you
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stir it and it will be very smooth. If it lumps, it's not very good. It's not good to leave it over. You try to use up what paste you make that day.”
A paste mixed so that it was smooth and clear would not show through the paper. Red pepper and rat poison were sometimes
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A paste mixed so that it was smooth and clear would not show through the paper. Red pepper and rat poison were sometimes
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added to keep the mice from eating it. Powdered sweet anise and arrowroot, which grew along the high ridges and had a licorice taste, were added to the paste to give it a sweet aroma.
The sheets of paper were laid flat on a table and a small brush dabbed a small amount of
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The sheets of paper were laid flat on a table and a small brush dabbed a small amount of
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paste in the corners, around the edges, and twice in the center. It was then applied to the wall. The next sheet was applied with attention to overlapping the previous by one inch. Straight edges were thought to look correct. If they were not uniform, a papered wall was not
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considered attractive. Paper that overlapped the edge of the wall was trimmed with scissors or pocketknife.
Of the 3 types, magazine paper was best because of its heavy weight. It lasted longer and coal dust discolored it less. Newspaper and catalog paper were of the same
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Of the 3 types, magazine paper was best because of its heavy weight. It lasted longer and coal dust discolored it less. Newspaper and catalog paper were of the same
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light weight and were papered over as often as every 2 weeks because of fading. Before electricity it was important that newsprint on ceilings reflected outside light making rooms seem brighter.
Stray pages with photographs were thought to upset visual uniformity of a wall
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Stray pages with photographs were thought to upset visual uniformity of a wall
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or ceiling covered only with print. Pages with photos, on the other hand, were sometimes consistently arranged so that the wall was awash with what were considered interesting images. This policy of photo vs. non-photo was, however, flexible.
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With newspaper it was important that the print be placed right side up. Occasionally, however, the print was purposely applied upside down, since it was regarded by some as a sin to read anything but the Bible.
to be continued
to be continued
