Peter and Donna Thomas Hand Papermaking Collection
Scope and Contents
Peter and Donna Thomas have worked collaboratively since 1977 as book artists, making handmade paper, limited edition fine press books, miniature books, and one-of-a-kind artists’ books. Their initial interest was to find books about hand papermaking that had been written and printed by a hand papermaker on their own handmade paper. There were so few of those books that they broadened their focus to include books about hand papermaking printed on handmade paper that were not written or printed by the papermaker, and books papermakers had printed on their own paper that were not about papermaking. Their collection later grew to contain general books about hand papermaking; examples of historical and contemporary handmade paper - both as individual sheets and bound blank books; collections of handmade paper samples from paper exchanges and conference keepsake packets; and printed ephemera related to hand papermaking.
The materials for this collection are described in both ArchivesSpace and donated books can be found in Special Collections catalog which can be accessed:
here.
In this collection, artists will find beautiful books printed on handmade paper, and inspiring examples of handmade paper. Historians will find books and other materials that document the revival of the craft of hand papermaking in the 60-70s, after production hand papermills that had existed for centuries had become no longer viable and most mills had ceased operations.Papermakers will find the collection includes books with technical information on how to make paper by hand, books that document various other papermaker’s niche interests in the craft, samples of paper made for keepsake and swatch exchanges, and one-of-a-kind items like quire of unprinted handmade paper from the 19th century,
a collection of watermarked sheets, and the beater log and record books (1900-1970) from the Tuckenhay Mill in Devon, England.
Dates
- Creation: 1970-2016
Creator
- Thomas, Peter and Donna (Family)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright status for collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections & Archives as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/
Biographical / Historical
Peter and Donna Thomas are prominent papermakers, book artists, and authors who have been actively involved in the world of paper and book arts since 1974. They are known throughout the world for their contributions to the scholarship of hand papermaking and for the imaginative and beautifully crafted books they print on their own paper. The Thomases started as fine press printers in 1977, striving to create books in the tradition of the Lime Kiln Press, where they apprenticed with William Everson, and of the presses that influenced Everson’s aesthetic. In the 1980s, they widened their focus exploring non-traditional book structures and typography while creating miniature books. In the 1990s they focused much of their time and energy on documenting the history of hand papermaking and the historic techniques used to make paper. During this same period, they wrote and spoke extensively about their predictions for the future, where the book would be a work of art, rather than just a means to disburse information. After 2000, they began to combine all these past explorations creating editioned and one of a kind artists’ books, and frequently traveling the country as “Wandering Book Artists” to give classes and talks at both university and community based book art centers.
Full Extent
8.4 Linear Feet (31 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Peter and Donna Thomas Hand Papermaking Collection is made up of a variety of books, ephemera and paper samples, mostly from the 20th and early 21st centuries. These items document the history, techniques, types of materials, and artists that have help shape the world of papermaking. This collection is rich with rare or unique books on the subject of papermaking, impossible to find ephemera, paper swap collections, and other papermaking/paper related items discovered in the course of the Thomases scholarly work researching various aspects of the craft and its history.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials donated by Peter and Donna Thomas.
- Title
- Peter and Donna Thomas Hand Papermaking Collection
- Subtitle
- Peter and Donna Thomas Collection of books, paper samples, and printed ephemera related to hand papermaking.
- Author
- Jenna Silver and Peter Thomas-2025
- Date
- 2025-08-04
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2025 August 5: Reprocessed to return to original order.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Iowa Special Collections Repository
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5921
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-spec@uiowa.edu