Scrapbooking can frequently be viewed as a woman's
hobby. There are however, many instances throughout the
long history of this popular craft where men have played
significant roles in developing the art that is loved by
millions of hobbyists today. Unfortunately, the pull for
men in scrapbooking was often the money, while there is
plenty of evidence that some of them truly did enjoy
scrapbooking as a hobby. Here are some of the finer
achievements of men in scrapbooking history.
- In the mid 1800's, London based "W. H. Rock" began
producing leather albums with pre-printed pages of
flowers and birds. These albums became popular for
scrapbooking hobbyists.
- In 1857, the production of "carte-de-vista" albums,
containing photograph pockets, became popular.
- Mark Twain, best known for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry
Finn invented "Mark Twain's Adhesive Scrapbook" with
pre-pasted pages. This idea was one of his most loved
business adventures, possibly because it earned him over
$50,000. Don't be too easily fooled, however, because
Mark Twain enjoyed scrapbooking so much that he devoted
his Sunday afternoon to keeping his scrapbooking albums
up to date.
- Thomas Jefferson was an addicted scrapbooker. His
albums included news clippings, drawings, and dried
leaves. Men in the eighteenth century helped to produce
"Dutch Gilt" or "Dutch Flowered Papers" (lithography or
stenciling in Holland or Germany) using wood, metal, or
blocks. Originally intended to line cupboards, these
patterns quickly became a favorite in the scrapbooks of
the day.
- In the 1870's companies began mass producing embossed
paper for use in scrapbooking albums.
- While stickers, iron-on letters, buttons, rubber
stamps, and metal accents are used today in
scrapbooking, the Prang Company developed "album cards"
for use in scrapbooks of the nineteenth century. These
sets of ten cards were pictures of birds, flowers, or
landscapes to be used in scrapbooks.
- Most nineteenth century scrapbooks have "calling
cards" in them. These decorated cards were left by
guests at the host's home. They eventually made their
way into many scrapbooks because of the fond memories of
wonderful parties and dances, not just by women, but, as
you have already guessed, by men.
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