Charles I was a single faced laid grey paper, similar to the F J Head range but developed by Jack Barcham Green in the 1930s. He wrote the letters backwards with a pen to make them look "ancient" and the mould maker copied the drawing.
Charles I was developed for printing fine limited edition books. It was also used for endpapers and occasionally for calligraphy and drawings.
These moulds are quite tired with several repairs. In the 1960s and 1970s, sales were low so the last batch was made in 1972.
Comments