Oh So Beautiful Paper

As I mentioned in my first post, Crane & Co. was founded in 1801 and has been producing paper and stationery in western Massachusetts ever since.  As you can imagine, the company has quite a history.  So it’s only fitting that Crane would have a public museum to help tell its story – and I’m sharing a few photos from the museum for the final installment in our tour.

{a portrait of founder Zenas Crane}

{a short explanation and model of the paper making process}

{I thought these watermark portraits were amazing}

{all of the Crane social occasions albums}

In addition to making paper for personal stationery, Crane supplies the United States and other countries with currency paper.  Crane has supplied U.S. currency paper since 1879.  If you ever visit the Crane museum, make sure to ask about how to identify counterfeit bills – there’s a neat little demo.

{entries in the Crane ledger book date back to the American Revolution and Civil War}

{an old scale}

{a model of a paper mill}

A Crane museum wouldn’t be complete without examples of the various stationery, invitations, and announcements the company has printed over the years.  The invitation below features a 7-color engraved monogram at the top.  Seven colors!

Did you know that Crane does all the printing for Tiffany & Co.?  In addition to the collections with Kate Spade and Martha Stewart Weddings, Crane also prints all the stationery and invitations for Cartier  (check out a few photos from our stop at Cartier last year right here)

That just about does it for the tour!  I hope you enjoyed the photos – and a big thanks to Crane for the opportunity to visit their facilities!

{all photos by me}

*Dis­claimer – Crane & Co. pro­vided my accom­mo­da­tions dur­ing this visit; but this is not a spon­sored post.  For more on my edi­to­r­ial poli­cies, please click here.

1. elissa @ faucethead says:

   09/22/2010 at 6:36 PM

   this reminds me of a paper mill tour i took in switzerland. i wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it ended up being one of my favorite places. it looks like you had a great time!
2. Nole says:

   09/22/2010 at 4:34 PM

   Hey Ryan! Don’t be sad! Small letterpress and design studios do amazing work without even a fraction of the resources that a 7th-generation company like Crane has available. I’m in awe of what you and other small studios accomplish every day!

   Eva, Alyson, Chantal – thank you all so much! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the tour!
3. Ryan Howell says:

   09/22/2010 at 4:17 PM

   This is the greatest thing I have ever seen. I had no idea of the scope and scale of their operation. It is amazing. It kind of makes me sad that I’ll probably not accomplish 1/16th of this with my business!
4. Eva / Sycamore Street Press
   Twitter: sycamorestpress
   says:

   09/22/2010 at 4:15 PM

   Nole, I’m loving these posts about Crane! We use Lettra all the time as well, and love it. I had no idea that Crane supplied the paper for US currency (as well as other countries), and that they are the printers for Tiffany & Co, Martha Stewart Weddings, etc… Pretty cool.
5. Alyson says:

   09/22/2010 at 1:07 PM

   I am in awe from all of the photos, so I can only imagine what it must have been like to experience all of this in person. Thank you for sharing!
6. Chantal Bennett-Kimmel
   Twitter: papillonpress
   says:

   09/22/2010 at 11:32 AM

   Amazing! Who knew they had their own museum! Must make a pilgrimage out there one day because we use their Lettra paper all the time.