Thought I’d change things up a bit today and share full front pages of newspapers rather than cropped article excerpts. When examined side by side, one gains a greater appreciation for the handmade process of papermaking and printing. Beyond their historical content, colonial newspapers are works of art with unique mastheads, layouts, paper sizes, etc. Prior to 1870, before the transition to wood pulp, newspapers were printed on paper handmade from linen rags. Paper quality varied greatly, but that didn’t dilute its durability. Thanks to the strength and sturdiness of handmade rag linen paper, the first drafts of colonial America’s most historical events are often well preserved in printed form.