Please note that this book is no longer available directly from the Fleece Press.

The Whole Benefits that Paper Brings, by Thomas Churchyard
Written in 1588, with engravings by Anthony Christmas

In this, the eighth miniature published by the Fleece Press, Thomas Churchyard’s 44-stanza poem The Whole Benefits that Paper Brings was reproduced in its entirety, accompanied by the playful engravings of Anthony Christmas. As the introduction says, the poem has barely seen the light of day since its publication in 1588. I came across an early 19th century printing of this poem, and other than a keepsake made for the Wynkyn de Worde Society, I did not know of any other printings. From a quick look almost 20 years later, it seems that there have been no other editions since.

Despite this, it is and always will be an important text. It is the first English-language description of a paper mill and the craft of paper-making. In particular, the poem concerns the exploits of John Spilman, a German jeweller who arrived in England in the 1580s. In 1588, Spilman set up his paper mill in Dartford and in 1589 was granted a patent for paper making and rag collection, granting him a monopoly that lasted 22 years. It is thought that his paper mill is the one mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part II.

To whet your appetite, the first four stanzas from the poem:

When sence of man sought out what Science was,
And found each art, through wit and study great,
Before long proofe could bring great things to passe,
In judging head did many a hammer beat:
But triall had, experienced prooved good,
For practise skill, on certaine surety stoode:
Then ignorance blinde gave learned knowledge place,
So studious minde gaynde glory, wealth, and grace.

Some searcht for gold, and digg’d deepe caves in ground,
And some sought pearle, and precious jewels gay;
Some saylde the seas, and wand’red world full round,
To bring home goods, that should the charges pay.
Some made fine silkes, and velvets fayre and rich,
Invention still was dayly usde so much,
That each device, that could be put in proofe,
Was set abroach, and tried for man’s behoof.

But some arts doth so surmount the rest,
That famous were the authors of the same,
Whose noble acts, their worth so well exprest,
That writer’s pin shoulde but eclips their fame.
Looke throughly then on that our elders did,
And bring to light their secrete knowledge hid,
And yeeld them lawde, as their deserts doth crave,
For I in hand another matter have.

I prayse the man that first did Paper make,
The only thing that sets all virtues forth:
It shoes new books, and keeps old workes awake,
Much more of price than all the world is worth:
It witness beares of friendship, time, and troth,
And is the tromp of vice and vertue both;
Without whose help, no hap nor wealth is won,
And by whose ayde great workes and deedes are done.

For the rest, you’ll have to get a copy of the book!

Published in 2002, in an edition of 285, of which 185 were standard copies priced at £40, and 100 were specially contained in a box in the form of a paper-maker’s wood and wire-mesh mould, made by Stephen Byrne, priced at £152.