Amalfi Angel, from Paper Arts of Dallas

I was digging around in one of two cabinets where I keep stationary and notecards. I stumbled upon several packets of unopened handmade paper sets that I brought home from a D.C. pen show years ago; I cannot recall when. This packet reads "DC Pen Show Exclusive $14" for five Amalfi Angel sheets of "8.75 x 12.5" inches (that's bigger than A4) with five huge envelopes that accommodate a half-folded sheet. I usually don't buy such large sheets, so these may have been given to me as a vendor at the show.

After all this time, I decided to give my new-found Amalfi Angel a try by writing a reply to a fellow FPGeek. I prefer writing my fountain pen correspondence on smaller paper like A5, so I folded one sheet in half to create four sides. I chose my recently acquired Sheaffer Triumph Vac-Fill desk pen in striated golden-brown, restored by Ron Zorn and filled with Omas Sepia (unobtainium) ink. The nib is a classic upturned conical firm F, which has proven to be a smooth writer on all types of paper used to date.

Amalfi Angel is a delight to hold and behold, with its all-'round deckled edge and handmade feel of both sheets and envelopes. The sheets have a bold watermark of a winged angel holding a staff and banner emblazoned "L A." The surface is textured. There was no bleed through or feathering of the Omas ink. And yet, I was denied a pleasant writing experience because I struggled with the need to constantly extract paper fibers from between the tips of the tines, which in turn created unwanted line variation with blobs of ink-soaked fibers in every line. I was surprised at this because the Triumph nib is quite firm and I saw no opening of the tines to grab so much paper fiber. Amalfi Angel can be a challenge for the fountain pen, but I'll try again using a modern pen with a broader rounder tipped nib for my next letter on Amalfi Angel.

If you love the look of paper that looks genuinely handmade and are willing to pay for the privilege, this paper fits the bill. If you yearn for big sheets of paper to write your own declaration of independence, Amalfi Angel will also satisfy. But if you want paper that is friendlier to fountain pens while mimicking the handmade look, I recommend instead Papyrus stationary with unfinished deckled edge and envelope flap.

Attachment 54808

It looks like very nice white paper Fred. :) Thanks for telling us about it. :)

The paper looks like it may be from the Italian company Amatruda, based in Amalfi, Italy with roots going back to the 1300's. I picked up a sampler box a few years back (can't recall the vendor) and use it very sparingly. Amatruda paper is weighty and has a fabric-feel that is quite elegant.

http://www.amatruda.eu

I found this on the Montblanc.com site

Never mind about my comment regarding Papyrus as an alternative. I learned their retail business has closed its doors, and I don’t know if their product line is available through third parties.

Amalfi paper is an amazing handmade paper. I used this to know better the difference between the various types: https://www.lacartadiamalfi.it/en/

My favourite is the A4 + “Angelo” sheet (120 gsm). It is slightly larger than the classic A4 format. Centrally it has the logo, represented by an angel waving a sheet of paper. It is usually used for printing wedding invitations or invitations for events, to be folded into four parts and combined with the 12x18cm envelope (or folded in two parts and combined with the 16x23cm envelope) and possibly accompanied by the invitation card to choice between 11x9cm and 13x8cm sizes.

It's been a while but I loved the feel of Amalfi paper and their gorgeous watermarks but it was not much fun to write on.

That must be one lucky FPgeeker to receive a letter in such paper :)
They're a mixture of Cotton and Cellulose....
I know someone here would really love it :D

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Originally Posted by Yazeh

That must be one lucky FPgeeker to receive a letter in such paper :)
They're a mixture of Cotton and Cellulose....
I know someone here would really love it :D

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One pen pal, an artist in Minnesota, cut up my letter and used the back side for printing with his woodblocks, and sent one back to me. Very cool idea, and he's good!

Fred always has the best paper :rockon:

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yazeh

That must be one lucky FPgeeker to receive a letter in such paper :)
They're a mixture of Cotton and Cellulose....
I know someone here would really love it :D

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One pen pal, an artist in Minnesota, cut up my letter and used the back side for printing with his woodblocks, and sent one back to me. Very cool idea, and he's good!

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That's great. Can you show us his art?

Not without his consent. I’ll ask.

...And now I cannot find it. :-(

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

Not without his consent. I’ll ask.

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Much appreciated :)

I am very happy to have found others who love paper as much as I do:)

These are my notebooks with an ancient manual binding technique made by Lo Scrigno di Santa Chiara in Amalfi paper

https://www.lacartadiamalfi.it/en/sh...per-notebooks/

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Originally Posted by Yazeh

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

Not without his consent. I’ll ask.

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Much appreciated :)

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Took a while. We communicate by letter! This is what happens when the artist finds good material upon which to work his art. My letter was sacrificed for the Amalfi paper. It's a 2 x 3-inch miniature, and I bet there are more copies with my wisdom hidden on their backs.

Attachment 59599
Subject to artist's Copyright

Thank you so much Fred, to you and your friend. Truly wonderful. Lifted my heart. :)

It looks very attractive. Honestly, this paper immediately brings to mind stories about Sherlock Holmes - when he picks up an envelope and tells where the letter in question came from:tea:

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Originally Posted by PhillipDine

It looks very attractive. Honestly, this paper immediately brings to mind stories about Sherlock Holmes - when he picks up an envelope and tells where the letter in question came from:tea:

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Jeremy Brett, no doubt!

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I visited Amalfi in the Spring of 2019 and we visited the museum/press and watched them use the "new" machine (500 years old) to make paper with the water that runs through the town to the ocean. The "old" machinery was set to the side. It was a fantastic opportunity and I made paper. I also picked up some paper from the shop upstairs and I had no idea they offer it for sale all over. It's good paper if a little textured for super fine nibs. Make sure to purchase the fountain/dip pen paper as the other paper will bleed - we got to try a few types at their shop with dip pens, and my pocket pen.