A STUDY IN LEGAL ADMINISTRATION AND RECORDS SHARON ...

Appendix C
Directions For Copying Letten
The following information has ken kindly supplied by archivist, Elizabeth
BI ight, Provincial Archives of Manitoba.
Having opened the Copying Book in the place in whicb it is intended to
copy the Letters, lay an oiled sheet on the lefthand page, tum the first blank
page on to the oiled sheet, and wet it with the damping brush, (taking care to
cover the whole surface), and lay a drying sheet upon it; repeat this operation
until a sufficient number of pages are darnped to receive the letters required to
be copied, then lay an oiled sheet upon the last drying sheet, place the Copying
Book in the press and subject it to a slight pressure, in order to diffuse the
moisture equally through the body of the paper, and to absorb any excess on the
surface; remove the Copying Book from the Press, open it backwards, take out
the last of the dryîng sheets, lay the letter to be capid face downwards on the
copying paper, and tum over together the oiled sheet, leaf of copying paper, and
letter, taking care not to displace the letter; repeat this procedure with each
letter, retum the Book to the Press, apply a moderate pressure for about a
minute, and the letters will be copied.
The letter to be copied must not be blotted up, or imperfect copies will be
produced.
The Screw of the Press should be occasionally cleaned and oiled, as if
dirt be allowed to accumulate and harden, the Press will work with difkulty, and
a fracture may occur.
(Extracted from inside front cover of Victoria Land Letterbook, book
manufactured by "WATERLOW AND SONS Limited ... and Finsbury Stationary
Works, London: Manufacturing Stationers, Printers, and Engravers [ca. i 8751.")