Newspaper paper

[PVT.Halfcock]

Hello! I am trying to make a newspaper for our reenacting organization. Nothing too serious but Im wondering what kind of paper to use and where to get it.
I want it to be 17x11 but all the paper I have found in that size is regular computer paper. Im looking for something that has more of a vintage look to it. Any suggestions?

 

[R. Porter]

Old wall paper? That's what they used at Vicksburg, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Old Soldier]

It is called NEWSPRINT. Originally it was white or off-white. It goes varying shades of brown as it ages.

 

[History hoarder63]

Old wall paper? That's what they used at Vicksburg, if I'm not mistaken.

View attachment 537735

CW era papers were more often than not, printed on rag paper not wood pulp paper. Rag paper is only sold in places that have art or calligraphy supplies. It is often called acid free paper. By late 1863, many Confederate newspapers were reduced to printing on cheap rag wrapping paper which was of a color like the above example (which is a circa 1870's reprint) instead of the earlier cream colored newsprint paper.

The Vicksburg Daily Citizen was printed on wallpaper from early June to the first week of July 1863. Contrary to legend, the wallpaper was not stripped from walls but instead was unused rolls that were cut to shape. There are approximately 6 different patterns of wallpaper that were used on editions of the Daily Citizen. In addition the The Citizen, there are several other papers of the period that were printed on wallpaper. They are all exceedingly rare.

 

[R. Porter]

CW era papers were more often than not, printed on rag paper not wood pulp paper. Rag paper is only sold in places that have art or calligraphy supplies. It is often called acid free paper. By late 1863, many Confederate newspapers were reduced to printing on cheap rag wrapping paper which was of a color like the above example (which is a circa 1870's reprint) instead of the earlier cream colored newsprint paper.

The Vicksburg Daily Citizen was printed on wallpaper from early June to the first week of July 1863. Contrary to legend, the wallpaper was not stripped from walls but instead was unused rolls that were cut to shape. There are approximately 6 different patterns of wallpaper that were used on editions of the Daily Citizen. In addition the The Citizen, there are several other papers of the period that were printed on wallpaper. They are all exceedingly rare.

Awwww, I was gonna post that the above example was a reprint! I found the following website that discusses how you can tell after posting the image. (Didn't do my homework first, but printed matter is not my thing.)

Research Guides: Original or Reprint? A Guide to Noteworthy Newspaper Issues: Daily Citizen (Vicksburg)

A guide to identifying original versus reprinted issues for several newspaper editions of historical significance, also referred to as an "Information Circular" in the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room.

guides.loc.gov

 

[Stryker65]

My friend once had to make vintage paper for a school assignment; there's a trick you can do in which you soak ordinary paper into a pot of coffee and let it sit for a few minutes. The resulting paper looks like this:

 

[Old Soldier]

My friend once had to make vintage paper for a school assignment; there's a trick you can do in which you soak ordinary paper into a pot of coffee and let it sit for a few minutes. The resulting paper looks like this:
View attachment 538042

Or is it a teabag?

 

[Pollaco]

Or is it a teabag?
[/QUOTEPretty due either tea or coffee would work.

 

[lupaglupa]

Is this a paper you want your organization to have out at reenactments? I'm assuming yes since otherwise why would you care what paper. To make something that looks appropriate for the period you can look at information on papers of the time - here is a website with good info:

American Newspapers, 1800-1860: Country Papers – History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library – U of I Library

www.library.illinois.edu

Most copy shops should have a variety of sizes and weights of paper. If you want your paper to look like a 19th-century newspaper you will want a large sheet of lighter weight paper. These were usually printed and folded. But a newsletter designed for a smaller group would probably be smaller.