Not a great deal is known about these moulds made by R Larner, Dartford (date unknown). I purchased them from Gordon Whitehead in 1990 so they are likely to have been used at Wookey Hole Mill in Somerset. They are very unusual in having a deckle divided lengthwise (ie hand to hand) to make two long thin sheets 135 x 678 mm which were probably folded in half. This configuration is difficult for the vatman as the forming wave has to "jump" over the divider causing formation faults. Note the small holes in the forming wire to help drainage.
The long thin divider is easily broken as illustrated in these photographs.
© Copyright Simon Barcham Green 2011. Not to be copied or reproduced without written permission
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