These two sheet wove moulds seem to have been used to make minute paper. The ruled watermark lines would be sufficiently visible on the surface of the wire side of the sheet for the minute writer to align their writing accurately. Smith & Allnutt originally owned Little Ivy Mill, Great Ivy Mill and Lower Tovil Mill (1/2 mile upstream, 1/4 mile upstream and 1/2 mile downstream of Hayle Mill respectively). After Robert Smith died the "Smith & Allnutt" brand name was used until Henry Allnutt went bankrupt in 1876 and John Barcham Green purchased Great Ivy Mill and Lower Tovil Mill. The name Smith & Allnutt was retained and the Greens continued to supply the former Allnutt papers to their customers and others. For a long time I puzzled over the "36" watermark. Then I counted the rule lines and there are 36, so this was to help customers re-order.
© Copyright Simon Barcham Green 2011. Not to be copied or reproduced without written permission
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