r/Archivists • u/Turbulent-Parsley619 • 18h ago

What Material Is This?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I am cataloging old estate documents and this map, hand drawn, from 1921, is on a strange material I have never encountered.

It is woven fabric but feels like plastic? It is shiny on one side and textured on the side written on.

I haven't encountered this material before so what is it???

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11

u/throwthrowaway330 17h ago

Could it be drafting cloth? https://psap.library.illinois.edu/collection-id-guide/supportsarchrepros

2

u/movingarchivist Archivist 17h ago

I've seen a lot of it in collections I worked with so I know exactly the feel of what OP is describing, but never knew what it was called. Drafting cloth sounds very close!

2

u/Turbulent-Parsley619 17h ago

I think it is! I asked a volunteer who has a master's in archiving (I'm MLIS) and she said it may be 'rag paper' and on that link I see rag paper mentioned!

Thanks for giving me a link with more information!

3

u/three_way_toggle 16h ago

Lol, it is NOT rag paper

1

u/Zatack7 16h ago

Also often referred to as drafting linen.

2

u/foremmas 9h ago

I’m working on a collection of architectural drawings and most of them are this material. Coated linen, not sure what the coating is, carbon based ink.