ARTI’VIEW by ARCHES® Adelphi Paper Hangings: preserving History through block printed wallpapers
Can you present your company in a few words?
Adelphi Paper Hangings is dedicated to exploring and preserving the art of historic block printed wallpapers. Since our inception, we have attempted to recreate traditional patterns of 18th and 19th century England, France and the United States, using materials and techniques identical, or very similar, to the original ones.
The process of employing a few basic elements – wood, paper and paint – and utilizing well developed eye and hand coordination remains a source of fascination. Another factor in our dedication is the research and exploration of the idiosyncratic nature of some 200-year-old designs.
What is your manufacturing process?
All of our wallpapers are printed with the traditional block printing technique, as was practiced in 18th century France and England. Our paint is a modified version of the distemper paint wallpaper manufacturers developed. The wood printing blocks are constructed with Swiss pearwood, as were those of the past. Our major departure from tradition is the fact that the designs are laser engraved into the wood, rather than being hand carved.
And, of course, the paper is composed largely of cotton, as was its historic counterpart.
® Adelphi Paper Hangings Production Process
® Adelphi Paper Hangings Production Process
® Adelphi Paper Hangings – Wallpaper printed on Ingres d’ARCHES MBM® paper 85 gsm
How did you come to position yourself on this niche market?
It was not a matter of determining to take advantage of an underdeveloped market. It was simply a matter of being intrigued with the physical process of block printing, exploring and experimenting various aspects and then offering to whoever might be interested.
Who are your customers?
Initially our customers were small historic sites and museums – as well as private owners of early houses in the US. These clients were soon joined by designers who specialized in creating Colonial and Federal style interiors. After several years other designers, one not necessarily focused on period authenticity took note and incorporated our wallpapers into more contemporary settings.
® Adelphi Paper Hangings – Wallpapers printed on Ingres d’ARCHES MBM® paper 85 gsm
How do you explain the current craze for wallpapers with old-fashioned patterns?
I’m not certain I can address this with much depth. Perhaps it is simply a matter of being entranced by patterns which are clearly not embedded with contemporary sensibilities and so are fresh – even after 200+ years. Or, perhaps, the traditional designs present a sense of stability in this uncertain time.
® Adelphi Paper Hangings – Wallpaper printed on Ingres d’ARCHES MBM® paper 85 gsm
® Adelphi Paper Hangings – Detail of a wallpaper printed on Ingres d’ARCHES MBM® paper 85 gsm
You specialise in reproducing historic wallpapers, but do you also develop your own exclusive collections?
At times we have dabbled in creating our own patterns (everyone here is an art school graduate) but, as time passes, we find ourselves with fewer free hours in the day… and more orders to fill.
What sort of paper stock do you use to make your wallpapers?
Our standard paper stock is Ingres d’ARCHES MBM®, 85 gsm, which the Arches paper mill produces in 500-yard rolls, especially for Adelphi.
® Adelphi Paper Hangings – Wallpaper printed on Ingres d’ARCHES MBM® paper 85 gsm
Why did you choose that particular paper?
We have always used this ARCHES® product. Initially, before we were a private company, we were a block printing demonstration program at a local living history museum. At that time, we were buying the paper as sheets; the sheets were glued together to form rolls before the application of the ground paint. This is how all wallpapers were produced before the advent of continuous paper stock.
And we’ve not had any reason to switch. It accepts the paint well, it’s strong and bears up well to repeated pressings. One bonus, one which we had not anticipated is that, after wallpaper paste has been applied, the paper relaxes nicely. Wallpaper installers, once they’ve become acquainted with this most non-modern paper stock, find its flexibility to be an asset.
What is your proudest achievement?
While we’ve been involved with a number of special projects and commissions, from George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Monticello, Sir John Soane’s Museum and the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House, the most challenging and involved project was the recreation of the Reveillon pattern #600 – a block printed, hand painted and gilt arabesque from 1787. The realization required months of effort from the entire Adelphi team.
Overall, our proudest achievement is that fact that we’ve been able to develop a product which has caught the imagination of so many.
