John Dickinson Stationery
Encyclopedia
John Dickinson Stationery Limited was a leading British
stationery
company founded in west Hertfordshire
, that was later merged to form Dickinson Robinson Group
. In the 19th century, the company pioneered a number of innovations in paper-making.
Hertfordshire, in 1804 by John Dickinson, who invented a continuous mechanized paper-making process. Dickinson patented his ideas in 1809 and in the same year he gained financial backing from George Longman
. He established paper mill
s at Apsley
(a former flour mill), Nash Mill
(formerly a mediaeval corn-mill) in 1811 and Croxley
in Hertfordshire
. The river and canal at Apsley and Nash Mills provided power for the mills and transport for materials and product.
The mill-house at Nash Mill, called Nash House, became the family home for Dickinson and his new wife Ann (née Grover) whose father Harry Grover supported this business development through his Grover's Bank. In a very few years Nash Mills was renowned for its production of tough thin paper for Samuel Bagster's "Pocket Reference Bible". A major fire in 1813 was a setback, but, being covered by insurance, enabled redevelopment towards large scale production.
During the 19th century, Sir John Evans
and his son Lewis Evans
(whose elder brother was the archeologist Sir Arthur Evans
) both managed the company.
John Dickinson & Co. Ltd had their Engineering Department at Nash Mills until 1888, when it was transferred to Apsley Mill.
By the end of the nineteenth century, Nash Mill, which was small and had a reputation for independence, experienced a drop in profitability. Continuous minor changes were implemented until, in 1926 it underwent improvements with expansion, remodelling and refurbishment.
The Lion brand was adopted as the company logo in 1910 and in the following year (1911), the Basildon Bond brand was established. Companies were then formed in South Africa
, Australia
, New Zealand
and elsewhere (thirteen countries in all).
) obsolete.
In 1850, the company started mechanical envelope manufacturing, with gummed envelopes for the first time.
The production of fine rag paper on electrically driven machines was a successful innovation at Nash Mill.
The company pioneered the production of window envelopes in 1929.
Dickinson Robinson Group
Dickinson Robinson Group Ltd (DRG) was formed out of E.S. & A Robinson Packaging of Bristol and John Dickinson & Co Ltd. in 1966, creating one of the world's largest stationery and packaging companies. In 1990 the Paper Mills in the group, Nash Mills, Keynsham Paper Mill and Fife Paper Mills were sold to SAPPI of South Africa. These mill were all subsequently closed down by SAPPI as were all other acquisitions ( see Kymmini Oy, Blackburn Mill and Wolvercote Mill) they made in the UK. In 1999, what had been the Stationery Division of the Group was bought by Spicers Ltd andrelocated from Apsley
(Hertfordshire) to the village of Sawston
south of Cambridge
.
is home to the Paper Trail, a museum which incorporates a narrowboat ride along the Grand Union Canal
and the River Gade
to Frogmore Mill, viewing of a working paper machine, producing recycled board and paper, as well as handmade paper making and paper sculpture. The Frogmore Mill exhibits are also open for direct visits.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
stationery
Stationery
Stationery has historically meant a wide gamut of materials: paper and office supplies, writing implements, greeting cards, glue, pencil case etc.-History of stationery:...
company founded in west Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, that was later merged to form Dickinson Robinson Group
Dickinson Robinson Group
The Dickinson Robinson Group or DRG was a British paper, printing and packaging company founded in 1966 as a result of a merger of John Dickinson Stationery Ltd and E. S. & A...
. In the 19th century, the company pioneered a number of innovations in paper-making.
History
The company was founded in ApsleyApsley
Apsley is a 19th century mill town in the county of Hertfordshire, England. It is a historic industrial site situated in a valley of the Chiltern Hills. It is positioned below the confluence of two permanent rivers, the Gade and Bulbourne. In an area of little surface water this was an obvious site...
Hertfordshire, in 1804 by John Dickinson, who invented a continuous mechanized paper-making process. Dickinson patented his ideas in 1809 and in the same year he gained financial backing from George Longman
George Longman
George Henry Longman was an English cricketer. Longman was a right-handed batsman who played occasionally as a wicketkeeper....
. He established paper mill
Paper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
s at Apsley
Apsley
Apsley is a 19th century mill town in the county of Hertfordshire, England. It is a historic industrial site situated in a valley of the Chiltern Hills. It is positioned below the confluence of two permanent rivers, the Gade and Bulbourne. In an area of little surface water this was an obvious site...
(a former flour mill), Nash Mill
Nash Mill
Nash Mill was a paper mill in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The local residential area takes its name from the mill.-Early records:...
(formerly a mediaeval corn-mill) in 1811 and Croxley
Croxley
Croxley may refer to :* Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK**Croxley tube station, a station on the London Underground in Croxley Green**Croxley Rail Link, a proposed rail re-rout of the London Underground at Croxley Green...
in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
. The river and canal at Apsley and Nash Mills provided power for the mills and transport for materials and product.
The mill-house at Nash Mill, called Nash House, became the family home for Dickinson and his new wife Ann (née Grover) whose father Harry Grover supported this business development through his Grover's Bank. In a very few years Nash Mills was renowned for its production of tough thin paper for Samuel Bagster's "Pocket Reference Bible". A major fire in 1813 was a setback, but, being covered by insurance, enabled redevelopment towards large scale production.
During the 19th century, Sir John Evans
John Evans (archaeologist)
Sir John Evans, KCB, FRS was an English archaeologist and geologist.-Biography:John Evans was the son of the Rev. Dr A. B. Evans, headmaster of Market Bosworth Grammar School, and was born at Britwell Court, Buckinghamshire...
and his son Lewis Evans
Lewis Evans (collector)
Lewis Evans was an English businessman and scientific instrument collector.Lewis Evans was the son of Sir John Evans, an archaeologist, and younger brother of the more famous archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans who excavated Knossos in Crete. He studied chemistry at University College London and...
(whose elder brother was the archeologist Sir Arthur Evans
Arthur Evans
Sir Arthur John Evans FRS was a British archaeologist most famous for unearthing the palace of Knossos on the Greek island of Crete and for developing the concept of Minoan civilization from the structures and artifacts found there and elsewhere throughout eastern Mediterranean...
) both managed the company.
John Dickinson & Co. Ltd had their Engineering Department at Nash Mills until 1888, when it was transferred to Apsley Mill.
By the end of the nineteenth century, Nash Mill, which was small and had a reputation for independence, experienced a drop in profitability. Continuous minor changes were implemented until, in 1926 it underwent improvements with expansion, remodelling and refurbishment.
The Lion brand was adopted as the company logo in 1910 and in the following year (1911), the Basildon Bond brand was established. Companies were then formed in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and elsewhere (thirteen countries in all).
Innovations
John Dickinson patented a method of paper-making in June 1807, that rendered his rivals' techniques (principally the Fourdrinier machineFourdrinier machine
This article contains a glossary section at the end.Most modern papermaking machines are based on the principles of the Fourdrinier Machine. It has been used in some variation since its inception...
) obsolete.
In 1850, the company started mechanical envelope manufacturing, with gummed envelopes for the first time.
The production of fine rag paper on electrically driven machines was a successful innovation at Nash Mill.
The company pioneered the production of window envelopes in 1929.
Dickinson Robinson GroupDickinson Robinson GroupThe Dickinson Robinson Group or DRG was a British paper, printing and packaging company founded in 1966 as a result of a merger of John Dickinson Stationery Ltd and E. S. & A...
Dickinson Robinson Group Ltd (DRG) was formed out of E.S. & A Robinson Packaging of Bristol and John Dickinson & Co Ltd. in 1966, creating one of the world's largest stationery and packaging companies. In 1990 the Paper Mills in the group, Nash Mills, Keynsham Paper Mill and Fife Paper Mills were sold to SAPPI of South Africa. These mill were all subsequently closed down by SAPPI as were all other acquisitions ( see Kymmini Oy, Blackburn Mill and Wolvercote Mill) they made in the UK. In 1999, what had been the Stationery Division of the Group was bought by Spicers Ltd andrelocated from ApsleyApsley
Apsley is a 19th century mill town in the county of Hertfordshire, England. It is a historic industrial site situated in a valley of the Chiltern Hills. It is positioned below the confluence of two permanent rivers, the Gade and Bulbourne. In an area of little surface water this was an obvious site...
(Hertfordshire) to the village of Sawston
Sawston
Sawston is a large village in Cambridgeshire in England, situated on the River Cam seven miles south of Cambridge. It has a population of 7,150...
south of Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
.
Paper Trail Museum
The former Apsley Mill site in Hemel HempsteadHemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
is home to the Paper Trail, a museum which incorporates a narrowboat ride along the Grand Union Canal
Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 137 miles with 166 locks...
and the River Gade
River Gade
The River Gade is a river running almost entirely though Hertfordshire. It rises from a spring in the chalk of the Chiltern Hills at Dagnall, Buckinghamshire and flows through Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley and Croxley Green to Rickmansworth where it joins the The River Colne...
to Frogmore Mill, viewing of a working paper machine, producing recycled board and paper, as well as handmade paper making and paper sculpture. The Frogmore Mill exhibits are also open for direct visits.
External links
- Hamelin
- Bicentenary 1804–2004 – The History of John Dickinson
- Paper Trail - official museum site