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What are watch papers?

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martika's loves1889 of 5505Vintage brooch, possibly rainbow magnetiteSweater Clip
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    Posted 8 years ago

    pops52
    (28 items)

    Here are several examples of watch papers from the mid 1700's to the early 1800's that came with some of my English fusee pocket watches.

    What are watch papers?

    Watch papers are small printed round paper inserts that were placed in pocket watches to protect their inner workings from dust. They were printed on one side with the names and addresses of the watchmaker or fixer, and a manufacturing or repair date was often handwritten on the paper. Some bore intricate illustrations, often showing allegorical figures and even timepieces. Despite their importance as a practical complement to watches and examples of printing art, a modern Webster's dictionary slights them, proclaiming that a watch paper is "an old-fashioned ornament for the inside of a watch-case made of paper fancifully cut or printed." (Source: Richard McKinstry-The Ephemera Society of America)

    The watch papers vary in size from 1 1/2 inches to 2 1/2 inches in diameter, but the common size seems to be about 2 inches in diameter. Though watch papers also varied in thickness, the earliest ones are on thicker and higher-grade paper.

    Thanks for looking!

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    Comments

    1. Recordmantime, 8 years ago
      Very cool write up ken ..its amazing how much go's into a watch ...thanks for shearing ..
    2. jscott0363 jscott0363, 8 years ago
      Pops,
      These old watch papers are always so neat to see.
    3. PhilDMorris PhilDMorris, 8 years ago
      It is sometimes bad how much information is given by people who do not know much about anything, a lot of that goes on wiki also, incorrect info. Great photos you have showing your papers and the importance !~
    4. kyratango kyratango, 8 years ago
      Ha Pops, I'm very glad to see these again, it was a great learning moment when you first post them :-)
    5. SEAN68 SEAN68, 8 years ago
      these really show there true fabulous age and these are great!!
    6. inky inky, 8 years ago
      Hello pops...Great post, very interesting...:-)
    7. pops52 pops52, 8 years ago
      Thanks everyone for all the comments and loves!
    8. mcheconi mcheconi, 8 years ago
      Very interesting post! Never heard about these before.
    9. inky inky, 8 years ago
      Hi pops52...:-)
    10. CWfriends CWfriends, 8 years ago
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRP8d7hhpoQ

      Merry Christmas my old friend ...smiling
    11. roddyq roddyq, 8 years ago
      I had an old silver stamped key wind watch from the 1890's and the paper inserts were calenders that were from a watch repair shop.
    12. fleafinder fleafinder, 8 years ago
      happy new year ken!
    13. kyratango kyratango, 8 years ago
      Happy New Year, Pops, full of joy, health and new treasures :-)
    14. inky inky, 8 years ago
      Hi pops!...;-)
    15. Vynil33rpm Vynil33rpm, 6 years ago
      You are the bearer of knowledge
      This was something Beyond the realm
      Of my knowledge ,,,,Thank You,, Sir

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