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The Backstory of Wallpaper: Paper-Hangings 1650-1750
Wallpaper design has captivated Western consumers for 300 years, but this book looks closer - at wallpaper use. It tells how single-sheet wallpaper developed in Europe, found wide acceptance in England and France, and was successfully transplanted to the North American colonies.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
190 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2013
3 people are currently reading
571 people want to read
About the author
Robert M. Kelly
1 book14 followersI started out innocently enough as a painter/paperhanger in my hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts and little by little got pulled into the romance and history of wallpaper — one of the most prolific and enjoyable decorative materials ever invented. After a long career working with wallpaper in historic homes (including Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, Martin Van Buren's Lindenwald, Washington Place in Hawaii and the Governor's Mansion in the Virgin Islands), I was pooped. Now I write when I'm not listening to my cats snore. My first full-length book is the Backstory of Wallpaper, published on September 12, 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 24, 2014
I admit it. I LOVE wallpaper. As a matter of fact, I am a pretty good wallpaper hanger myself. I am a a self-proclaimed wallpaper rock star. So imagine my delight when I stumbled across this charming history of wallpaper and wall coverings covering the period 1650-1750, a serious history written in such a lovely manner that draws you into the history of how covering our walls with paper actually came to be.
I would love to give you examples of the bits and bobs that are offered to us in this volume, but every page has so many interesting facts that I couldn't possibly do it justice. OK, I will give you one: A guy in in the Netherlands in 1568 was beheaded for printing heretical ballads. But what had happened was that his worker had printed them in his absence, and when he saw them, he refused to deliver them, and tossed them in a corner. He subsequently used them to overprint them with 'roses and stripes for the papering of attics' (a common practice so as not to waste paper.) All to no avail. He lost his head anyway. And so, wallpapering would seem to have a rather bloody beginning.
Every page of this book has interesting facts and anecdotes, and for those of you who love wallpaper, and for those of you who are history buffs, this is a wonderful book to read and keep on your shelf as a valuable reference.
I would love to give you examples of the bits and bobs that are offered to us in this volume, but every page has so many interesting facts that I couldn't possibly do it justice. OK, I will give you one: A guy in in the Netherlands in 1568 was beheaded for printing heretical ballads. But what had happened was that his worker had printed them in his absence, and when he saw them, he refused to deliver them, and tossed them in a corner. He subsequently used them to overprint them with 'roses and stripes for the papering of attics' (a common practice so as not to waste paper.) All to no avail. He lost his head anyway. And so, wallpapering would seem to have a rather bloody beginning.
Every page of this book has interesting facts and anecdotes, and for those of you who love wallpaper, and for those of you who are history buffs, this is a wonderful book to read and keep on your shelf as a valuable reference.
March 1, 2014
The Backstory of Wallpaper PaperHangings 16501750 by Robert M. Kelly is a carefully researched treatise and survey of the evolution and beginnings of the use of wall paper, tracing its start from wooden to fabric to paper panel hangings to the start of rolled papers. Wallpaper's development is traced in England, France, China, Ireland and Britain's North American colonies. The author's paperhanging background (and craftsman's experience) includes a career of working with wallpapers in historic homes such as Andrew Jackson's Hermitage and the White House.
Kelley's exhaustive research of archives in Europe and America and his discovery of material from a variety of publications was impressive to me as a former librarian in public libraries and a history major. I compared the holdings of the library center of Chicago and found some basic titles in common but nothing as voluminous as Kelly unearthed, as attested by his 11 page bibliography, 13 pages of endnotes, and a nine page index.
Kelly writes enthusiastically and with some humor, and includes interesting stories and facts. While I would have appreciated some color, the line drawings of Jean-Michel Papillion and especially illustrations of early printers and installers at work will fascinate, as small pieces of history. What began as mainly folk art for the lower classes became so popular that it provided the British Crown with taxable income. The fact that designs were frequently copied or very slightly altered is interesting in today's world of copyrighting everything. As someone interested in history, I give this 4 stars.
Historians and students of art history should find this quite interesting, as a frequently overlooked part of everyday decoration and art. Recommended for larger public libraries, wallpaper, history, and fans of Robert M. Kelly.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review from the early reviewers program at LibraryThing.
Kelley's exhaustive research of archives in Europe and America and his discovery of material from a variety of publications was impressive to me as a former librarian in public libraries and a history major. I compared the holdings of the library center of Chicago and found some basic titles in common but nothing as voluminous as Kelly unearthed, as attested by his 11 page bibliography, 13 pages of endnotes, and a nine page index.
Kelly writes enthusiastically and with some humor, and includes interesting stories and facts. While I would have appreciated some color, the line drawings of Jean-Michel Papillion and especially illustrations of early printers and installers at work will fascinate, as small pieces of history. What began as mainly folk art for the lower classes became so popular that it provided the British Crown with taxable income. The fact that designs were frequently copied or very slightly altered is interesting in today's world of copyrighting everything. As someone interested in history, I give this 4 stars.
Historians and students of art history should find this quite interesting, as a frequently overlooked part of everyday decoration and art. Recommended for larger public libraries, wallpaper, history, and fans of Robert M. Kelly.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review from the early reviewers program at LibraryThing.
November 3, 2014
The Backstory of Wallpaper: Paper Hangings 1650-1750 by Robert M. Kelly is an excellent reference book. I love reading history books and I have a personal memory of the wallpaper in my family’s guest room. I was a child but I can never forget the effect of the green background and lovely yellow flowers on it. So I know for a fact the wallpaper can affect your mood. I wasn’t the only one, everyone coming in that room said “Oh” and immediately relaxed. So this book stood out to me.
Robert M. Kelly does very well with the lack of early history of wallpaper. He details the roots of wallpaper and this book is richly illustrated. So this book answers several questions:
1. In what countries did the beginnings of wallpaper start?
2. Why was there a tax on wallpaper in England?
3. What are the many ways that wallpaper was applied to walls in the past?
4. What was the purpose of wallpaper borders?
My favorite part of the book is the history of wallpaper in the colonies. My father’s ancestors lived at the Plymouth Plantation where I know they did not have wallpaper but I am wondering about the descendants later on. Also, I was fascinated by the many illustrations of the installation of wallpaper. That brought memories back of my father and mother getting the paste ready and the wooden horses with plywood on top to lay it out.
This book is for anyone who has enjoyed hanging wallpaper or those interested in its early history. I think it would be a useful reference for someone making a historical movie set in that time period.
I hope that Mr. Kelly writes a sequel to this book with further history of paper hangings.
I received this book from the author after I had expressed an interest in his book for a review. That in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
Robert M. Kelly does very well with the lack of early history of wallpaper. He details the roots of wallpaper and this book is richly illustrated. So this book answers several questions:
1. In what countries did the beginnings of wallpaper start?
2. Why was there a tax on wallpaper in England?
3. What are the many ways that wallpaper was applied to walls in the past?
4. What was the purpose of wallpaper borders?
My favorite part of the book is the history of wallpaper in the colonies. My father’s ancestors lived at the Plymouth Plantation where I know they did not have wallpaper but I am wondering about the descendants later on. Also, I was fascinated by the many illustrations of the installation of wallpaper. That brought memories back of my father and mother getting the paste ready and the wooden horses with plywood on top to lay it out.
This book is for anyone who has enjoyed hanging wallpaper or those interested in its early history. I think it would be a useful reference for someone making a historical movie set in that time period.
I hope that Mr. Kelly writes a sequel to this book with further history of paper hangings.
I received this book from the author after I had expressed an interest in his book for a review. That in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
July 3, 2014
I received this book from the author for free.
I read most of this book, not all. This is a very history intense book, it's not going to be a "flip through and see all the pretty wallpaper" book, if that's what you're looking for. This is exactly what the title says, a back story of it.
The book itself is interesting, but it's not something that you're going to read quickly, or easily. I ended up putting this one off until after my semester was over, mainly because I couldn't handle, yet another, intense read.
That said, it was interesting, I had no idea there was so much history behind something we just hang on the walls. I mainly wanted to read this purely from the aspect of someone who kind of has a thing for vintage/antique textiles. I was disappointed there weren't more illustrations about the paper itself. I'd have really liked to see an area that had the most popular prints of an era, or something of the like.
There are illustrations, in black and white, but not of the actual papers. That was the disappointment for me, I was hoping this would be a good reference when I'm trying to date a particular print or stay true to an era. I didn't expect an entire flip book of papers, but I'd have liked an area that had a breakdown of anything from popular colors, types of prints, where they were mainly hung and so forth. A good book, just not what I was hoping it would be.
I read most of this book, not all. This is a very history intense book, it's not going to be a "flip through and see all the pretty wallpaper" book, if that's what you're looking for. This is exactly what the title says, a back story of it.
The book itself is interesting, but it's not something that you're going to read quickly, or easily. I ended up putting this one off until after my semester was over, mainly because I couldn't handle, yet another, intense read.
That said, it was interesting, I had no idea there was so much history behind something we just hang on the walls. I mainly wanted to read this purely from the aspect of someone who kind of has a thing for vintage/antique textiles. I was disappointed there weren't more illustrations about the paper itself. I'd have really liked to see an area that had the most popular prints of an era, or something of the like.
There are illustrations, in black and white, but not of the actual papers. That was the disappointment for me, I was hoping this would be a good reference when I'm trying to date a particular print or stay true to an era. I didn't expect an entire flip book of papers, but I'd have liked an area that had a breakdown of anything from popular colors, types of prints, where they were mainly hung and so forth. A good book, just not what I was hoping it would be.
August 9, 2016
While not initially a Goodreads winner, I was generously provided a copy of The Backstory of Wallpaper by the author, Robert Kelly.
The Backstory of Wallpaper is pretty much exactly what it sounds like--the early modern history of paper hanging as a decorative technique. Wallpaper may not be a thrilling topic for many (most?) people, but speaking as someone who went to graduate school for museum studies and took plenty of material culture classes, this is the sort of thing I geek out on.
The book is part history, part art history, and part material culture study, featuring primary source documents, historical narrative, and analysis of print and pattern styles. Its focus is mainly on the Western art of wallpaper, though the art actually has its roots in Asia.
I would recommend this book to anyone (even an amateur novice) with an interest in decorative arts and material culture. Kelly does a wonderful job of interweaving historical narrative with discussion of the symbols, themes, and figures of the paper itself.
The Backstory of Wallpaper is pretty much exactly what it sounds like--the early modern history of paper hanging as a decorative technique. Wallpaper may not be a thrilling topic for many (most?) people, but speaking as someone who went to graduate school for museum studies and took plenty of material culture classes, this is the sort of thing I geek out on.
The book is part history, part art history, and part material culture study, featuring primary source documents, historical narrative, and analysis of print and pattern styles. Its focus is mainly on the Western art of wallpaper, though the art actually has its roots in Asia.
I would recommend this book to anyone (even an amateur novice) with an interest in decorative arts and material culture. Kelly does a wonderful job of interweaving historical narrative with discussion of the symbols, themes, and figures of the paper itself.
April 18, 2014
Okay - this should be a four and half stars....
I loved this book, the only drawback was that the photographs weren't in colour, so I couldn't see the amazing works produced by the artisans of this period.
Written in an easy to read, and approachable manner, I felt like I was listening to Kelly speak (passionately) about the role wall hangings and paper had during the 1650-1750. I also appreciated the effort that he had put into researching the role of women in the selection of the wallpaper, and those who wallpapered (and received so little in comparison to their male peers).
As a slice of history, this is a great book to read, if you are like me, a little interested in wall furnishings.
I loved this book, the only drawback was that the photographs weren't in colour, so I couldn't see the amazing works produced by the artisans of this period.
Written in an easy to read, and approachable manner, I felt like I was listening to Kelly speak (passionately) about the role wall hangings and paper had during the 1650-1750. I also appreciated the effort that he had put into researching the role of women in the selection of the wallpaper, and those who wallpapered (and received so little in comparison to their male peers).
As a slice of history, this is a great book to read, if you are like me, a little interested in wall furnishings.
January 10, 2014
Seeing as how this is a book about wallpaper, it's probably about as interesting as it could possibly be. Which is to say: to me, not very, but students of art history and perhaps architectural history would probably be fascinated by it. The author, himself a former paperhanger, is enthusiastic about his subject and researched it quite thoroughly. He's also capable of some charming turns of phrase.
Now, if only he had ventured into the 19th century, the really sordid days in wallpaper history, when Paris Green sickened people by the hundreds... Perhaps a sequel is in order?
(I got a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program, in exchange for an honest review.)
Now, if only he had ventured into the 19th century, the really sordid days in wallpaper history, when Paris Green sickened people by the hundreds... Perhaps a sequel is in order?
(I got a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program, in exchange for an honest review.)
May 27, 2014
(FTC: I received a copy of this book directly from the author partially in hipes of a good review. However, this in no way affected my opinions which, as usual, are 100% my own)
I really tried to like this book. It's historical artistry after all. However Kelly's work is not condusive to anything more than a pamphlet on a century of changing tastes in wall treatments. I wasn't impressed. As a friend said as an art appreciation book, she'd pass it by.
This could have been so much more if there had been colored plates in it. Black and white didn't do this topic justice.
A book for a student of interior design. I do have to say the cover presentation is lucious in texture and weight.
I really tried to like this book. It's historical artistry after all. However Kelly's work is not condusive to anything more than a pamphlet on a century of changing tastes in wall treatments. I wasn't impressed. As a friend said as an art appreciation book, she'd pass it by.
This could have been so much more if there had been colored plates in it. Black and white didn't do this topic justice.
A book for a student of interior design. I do have to say the cover presentation is lucious in texture and weight.
August 6, 2014
The Backstory of Wallpaper: paper-Hangings 1650-1750 by Robert M. Kelly is a very interesting book about, of course, Wallpaper. It tells the fascinating story about 100 years in paper hanging. The book is well researched and documented. This is, surprisingly, a rather easy read. This is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in the history and techniques of early wallpaper. I found the illustrations very helpful.
I was sent this book by the author. I thank him for the chance to review his work.
I was sent this book by the author. I thank him for the chance to review his work.
July 23, 2016
What an enjoyable book!
Well written and well researched, The Backstory of Wallpaper gives us a great picture of interior wall decoration and its evolution from 1650-1750. I had no idea there was so much to know about paper hangings!
I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the history of paper wallpaper. From hanging methods to pricing to who exactly DID have paper hangings in their homes, I found this to be a fascinating read!
Well written and well researched, The Backstory of Wallpaper gives us a great picture of interior wall decoration and its evolution from 1650-1750. I had no idea there was so much to know about paper hangings!
I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the history of paper wallpaper. From hanging methods to pricing to who exactly DID have paper hangings in their homes, I found this to be a fascinating read!
September 30, 2020
Thank you to Mr. Kelly, the author for sending a copy of his book to review. First impressions as I glanced through it: I wish there were more pictures and WOW!! This is a thoroughly researched book! I can't wait to start reading it.
Update:
How interesting can the history of wallpaper be? Turns out, it's as interesting as human history!
Update:
How interesting can the history of wallpaper be? Turns out, it's as interesting as human history!
June 9, 2015
Excellent read for anyone who wants to know about the early history of wallpaper. Has much information I have not found elsewhere. Well written and fun to read, I hope another book is in the works. Robert Kelly is good!
January 15, 2014
A very good reference book!
May 31, 2014
this book is amazing , it is just the kinda books I want to read , I like everything related to art and History , Great Book !!!
September 9, 2014
Extremely informative history. Very well researched.
October 1, 2014
This is an interesting book with a lot of information. I liked the histories but wish there had been more pictures.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews