Valvasor's library proved to be a good representative sample for non-destructive research of 17th-century paper. Non-destructive research and analysis were conducted on 144 sheets of paper from the Valvasor collection. To better understand the properties of historical paper on 10 paper fragments from the period from 16th to 19th centuries, destructive research has been conducted.
This thesis is divided into two major sections, the theoretical and the experimental part. In the theoretical part, Valvasor's biography, life’s journey, his collector's passion for books and graphics, and his work on printing and publishing books were examined. The history of Valvasor's library after his death has been followed throughout the history of the Metropolitan Library in Zagreb, where his library is kept today. In special chapters, the historical development of the technology of making handmade paper and a review of the literature in the field of scientific research of historical paper are presented. In the theoretical part, a chapter is dedicated to the databases of museums and galleries that store works of art on paper and technical databases who work with collecting of data on paper.
In the experimental part, the materials on which non-destructive and destructive analyses were performed are presented, as well as the devices with which the recording and measurements were done. Of the non-destructive measurement methods used on historical papers, measurements of paper thickness and pH as well as optical properties (brightness, yellowness, opacity and gloss) were performed. The dimensions of the sheets, the paper mold imprint, and the watermark were also measured on Valvasor's papers, which helped determine the provenance and raw format of the sheets. Thus, according to the dimensions of the sheets, the imprint of the mold, and the position of the watermark, it may be concluded that the paper sheets in the Valvasor books subject to this study originate from two paper mold formats, a smaller and a larger one, and that the book formats were adapted accordingly. Most of the watermarks found on the papers are in the form of the coat of arms and one watermark most often appears in editions printed by Valvasor on his estate in Bogenšperk. Microscopic analyses revealed specific fibers that were used in the paper production technology of the time. Optical properties characterized them as yellowish opaque papers without gloss.
Destructive analyses of the fragments went deeper into the composition and properties of the paper. Initially, spot tests were performed to determine absorbency, an identify lignin and starch in paper samples. Of the elementary analyses, SEM-EDS and XRF analyses were performed for the identification of inorganic elements in the sample and FTIR analysis was performed to identify chemical composition in organic compounds of cellulose fibers, fillers, and coatings. Microscopic analyses were performed in two ways - the paper surface was imaged with a digital microscope and the morphological analysis of the fibers was conducted on an optical microscope. Components were discovered in fragments of historical papers by destructive analyses, thus confirming their presence in handmade paper over four centuries. Analyses confirmed certain components and did not confirm others, so starch was not confirmed as a possible component in the paper in any of the samples. Elemental analyses yielded a full range of elements in the samples. Part of the identified elements in XRF and SEM-EDS analyses were defined through the composition of the components in the paper. Analysis of paper fibers showed that the dominant fibers were flax and hemp with a smaller proportion of cotton.
The dissertation is accompanied by a paper database of Valvasor's collection containing bibliographic data and data on each individual sheet of paper by its dimensions, thickness, pH, optical properties of brightness, yellowness, opacity, and gloss, watermark description and its dimensions, position and imprint of the paper mold, paper mill and papermaker in case there is data regarding them.
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