Above: at NAMTA with Shirley Mellor of Max's Art Supplies over the years
THE LOVE OF PAPER
How did this love affair with paper ever start? Well, I'd say the glass ceiling did it. And in some weird way, I am grateful that this particular glass ceiling existed at that time which necessitated my move from the fine fragrance industry into fine paper. However, since we have to assign blame where blame is due, the person who precipitated the onset of my addiction in 1978 cannot be left anonymous. Her name is Vera Freeman, a woman they used to call the "Paper Lady" during the seventies when I met her. More about her below.
Before handmade paper became a known entity, as it is today, I was like most of the uninitiated: so what is the big deal about a sheet of paper? Vera was shameless: she showed me a sheet of Japanese handmade "Fantasy # 5", which was the weight of a tissue with real butterfly wings embedded in the sheet, and long swirling Kozo fibers interspersed throughout and in her very own, silent and inimitable way, was saying to me "that my dear, is a big deal". I knew I was lost forever.
The thumbnails to the right represent some of the holiday cards we've produced over the years which became collectors' items.
Visiting with the late Yasumi Moriki
So, what is it like to meet your first "Japanese Treasure" or cultural asset? It would be 13 years after my first meeting with Vera that I would make my trek to Japan, during which time I would come face to face with several of their living legends and many secret treasures. I had always yearned for that visit to Japan, as I had made the papers from that country my personal possession (also perhaps, obsession?). Just ask anyone who worked with me at the now defunct Andrews/Nelson/Whitehead, where I spent my formative years in the paper business.
In the photo is the late Yasumi Moriki, who was responsible for much of the papers from Kochi and other Japanese provinces, becoming known to the United States. As was customary at the time, he initiated his nephew, Shinji Moriki, to carry on his legacy of trade with the United States. His name remains one of the most recognized worldwide for having assisted in the development of the American and European markets for washi.
Vera Freeman at her country home in Salem
Few people have had as much influence over the art paper industry as Vera Freeman. She is truly at the source of the renaissance of production and interest in handmade papers which was rekindled in the early sixties. She also managed to propel several successful careers of people in her expanded art paper department to include: Karen Crisalli, who went on to form her own succesful company which catered to book arts supplies including leathers; Katharina Halperin, who became Vice President ofMarketing for Atlantic Papers, importers of Hahnemuehle and Czech papers; Leonard Levine, current partner/owner of Legion Paper Company; and myself, owner of Victoria Paper Company and website editor for paper and cultural travel.
Vera Freeman was so formidable a figure that most people feared, admired, or disliked. To those who never got close, I say to them that it was a great loss. Multilingual, with a doctorate in economics, she never spoke of her achievements nor flaunted them. I credit her with bringing together artist Robert Rauschenberg withpapermakers at Richard de Bas, a cooperationthat brought about paper as an art object.
Her work also promptedthe Arches Millsto re-develop their entire lines of printing and printmaking papers (mainly Arches, Rives BFK, d'Arches) into neutral pH formulas. She also facilitated the apprentice-ship of Timothy Barrett with Japan's most renown papermakers. She helped put together with her former boss, George Nelson during the early 1950's, the collectible "Specimens", a book of papers for which most people would kill to have a copy.
On her last trip to Japan, I encouraged Vera to invite Sue Lindstrom,owner of the Paper Source stores. Needless to say, Sue was never the same after that trip, and her love story with paper began with the opening of the first Paper Source in Chicago. There are now over ten stores in the U.S. Two degrees of separation!
Vera retired in the late 80's as she refused to bend to political pressures from kamikaze management. She's as busy as ever, and I am forever in her debt.
In 2005, Vera Freeman wasinducted into NAMTA's Hallof Fame! Much to my chagrin, I was not able to present her award as had been planned as I was in Viet Nam at the time.However, Steve Steinberg of New YorkCentral Supply, a person who has worked with Vera for many, many years did the honors.
THE POWER OF THE PEN
The following articles I authored have appeared in industry publications:
Jan/Feb 1993 – Arts & Crafts Retailer – Foreign Intrigues
Jan/Feb 1993 – School & Home Office Products – Can Foreign Stocks Make it in Stationery?
December 1992 – Kalin Di Duntog (Philippines Publication) – The Perpetual Paper Chase
Ed Note: Some publications have gone out of business, and therefore, there are no links provided. When a publication is mentioned more than once, the link will appear only once.
Love of the Written Word
As far back as I can remember, I have always enjoyed writing. Of course, writing about something I loved, like paper, came very easily. However, along with the craft, came the peripatetic life of the traveler. At times, it was hard to distinguish between the work and the excitement of discovering new lands. In 1999, I finally put my pen down, andturned to the world wide web. I joined the IGOUGO team of travel writers, and was a Hall of Fame inductee as soon as that honor was established. I was able to document, in quasi serious fashion, over seventy journeys I had taken.
I was thrilled to find that people downloaded my writing when they were visiting certain places. My travel acitivities were severely curtailed starting in August of 2005 due to the incapacitation of my right knee. What followed was a long, frustrating battle to regain my autonomy. Today, I am walking unaided, though wearing heels is out of the question. I faithfully go for acupuncture treatments without which I might still find myself on crutches. And of course, travel is on the agenda again.....India perhaps? or China. Stay tuned.
