According to Princeton's Word Web, true paper is "a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses." In the Middle Ages, paper consisted of linen as well as cotton that was diluted with water, which created a matted fiber. It was not until the 1700s that wood fiber was used to make paper when the demand for paper increased. It is possible to make ancient paper, or at least paper that looks like it was made in the older style, by incorporating animal glue, wax and dye. The resulting paper will have the look and feel of ancient paper while still being rooted squarely in the present.
Place one tablet of rabbit glue, available at art supply stores, in a jelly jar and add enough water to cover the tablet. Let it sit until the tablet dissolves completely.
Fill the bottom portion of a double boiler part way, then place the top of the double boiler on the stove with a jar of water and rabbit glue inside. Heat the glue until the jar reaches about 100 degrees Fahrenheit (you should still be able to touch the jar with your fingers).
Take the jar from the double boiler. Dip a paint brush into the glue and apply it to both sides of the heavyweight paper. Let the paper dry.
Clean out the jar and place a chunk of wax in it. Melt the jar of wax in the double boiler on the stove.
Remove the jar from the double boiler when it is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Paint the liquid wax onto both sides of the paper using random strokes. Let dry.
Clean out the jar and add a solution consisting of paint or dye and a little water. Your solution should have a thin, tea-like consistency. Paint the solution onto both sides of the paper with random strokes. Let dry.
Clean out the jar and add 1 tbsp. of shellac with nearly a full jar of methylated spirits. Paint it onto both sides of the paper randomly. Let dry.
Brush boot polish onto both sides of the paper. Let dry.
