Introducing...Original Crown Mill Stationery.

At Oh So Cherished our motto is "a passion for paper" but you might be forgiven for thinking the age of letter writing is behind us. In fact, we see a surprising demand for really beautifully made writing sets, especially at this time of year. When Sarah came across the Original Crown Mill range from Belgium she just couldn't resist adding a few lines to our collection.

Actually there is quite a story behind this stationery. The manufacture of this fine paper dates right back to the 15th century, when the Emperor Maximilian I granted permission for the monks of La Hulpe in Belgium to build a mill on the "silver river", L'Argentine.

With its pure waters and proximity to Brussels the paper mills became known for their fine paper and two centuries later King Charles II of Spain gave them the title of the "Imperial and Royal Paper Manufacture." The paper we see today was founded by Frédéric Pelletier, who ordered a ridged paper that replicated the original hand made paper of the old mill. This he used to make exclusive watermarked stationery in his Brussels factory, packaging it in ornate boxes bearing the royal logo. His successors have maintained the proud tradition and still enjoy the privilege of supplying the Belgian Royal Family.

The paper used in most of our stationery sets here is Vergé laid, a matte paper with a textured surface and a regular appearance that looks handmade. The fine quality of the ribbed Vergé paper is evidenced by the Original Crown Mill watermark on each writing sheet. Seen enlarged here, you can appreciate the superb textured finish of the Vergé paper.

 

We started our collection with a classic Cream Writing A5 Writing Pad with matching envelopes

and a Cream A5 Writing Set comprising 25 writing sheets, with matching tissue-lined envelopes.

and an A4 version in white.

But this is my favourite, an elegant A5 Writing Set in Navy and Cream, with 25 sheets of carefully produced, sheets bordered in navy with matching lined envelopes. The Vergé laid paper, with its slightly ridged, matte surface lends itself perfectly to writing with fountain pens too.

We have it in a pretty pink and white version too - very feminine!

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Then we couldn't resist these exquisite little flat correspondence cards in cream and pink. Just A6 in size they are perfect for little thank-yous or invitations

Sarah just had to add just one of the Luxury Cotton range (so far!)

Just look at the texture, beautifully smooth and soft yet so durable it can last for centuries.

It's made from 100% cotton fibre, a rapidly renewing resource, from a cotton plant related to the hibiscus that can be harvested twice a year. This luxury box contains 100 watermarked A5 writing sheets with 50 matching envelopes, a versatile and elegant choice suitable for all types of quality correspondence.

John Donne wrote: "More than kisses, letter mingle souls; for, thus friends absent speak." With fine stationery like this and and our other quality writing sets on offer, there could be much mingling this Christmas!