About PaperHollow
PaperHollow is an editorial reference on Fabriano's handmade paper industry — one of the oldest continuously operating paper-making traditions in Europe. The content covers the technical, historical, and archival dimensions of paper production in the Marche region of central Italy.
The material here draws on documentary records from Italian state archives, the collections of the Museo della Carta e della Filigrana in Fabriano, and published scholarship in the history of paper technology. No material is generated by automated systems; all text reflects documented historical evidence.
Scope
Coverage focuses on three areas: the technical evolution of watermark design and mould construction from the 13th to the 20th century; the shift from linen-rag to cotton-fibre furnish in Fabriano's mills; and the role of Fabriano-made sheets in European archival records — papal correspondence, commercial ledgers, notarial instruments, and early printed books.
Geographic scope is primarily the Fabriano valley and the surrounding Esino watershed, with reference to the wider Italian paper trade where relevant to understanding Fabriano's export role.
Contact
Questions about content accuracy, source attribution, or archival references can be directed to the editorial address below.
Send an enquiry
Contact Details
Associazione Culturale PaperHollow
Via della Cartiera 12
60044 Fabriano AN, Italy
P.IVA IT 02314560420
Tel: +39 0732 021 400
Email: info@paperhollow.eu
External References
- Museo della Carta e della Filigrana, Fabriano
- International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA)
- Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze — digital collections
- Enciclopedia Treccani — Fabriano entry
Last updated: May 2026