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Foolscap

Foolscap is a traditional European paper size used primarily for writing, printing, and bookbinding from the 15th to the 20th centuries, typically measuring 13.5 by 17 inches (34 by 43 cm) for the full sheet, which was often folded in half to yield an 8.5 by 13.5-inch (22 by 34 cm) format suitable for documents and notebooks.^[1]^[2] The name derives from a distinctive watermark featuring a jester's cap with bells, originally applied by papermakers in the late medieval period, which became synonymous with this sheet size by the mid-17th century.^[3]^[1]^[2] Historically, foolscap paper originated in the papermaking centers of the Low Countries and spread across Europe, with early examples from the late 1600s often sourced from Dutch mills, as evidenced by archival records in institutions like Exeter Cathedral.^[2] It served as one of the most common formats for official documents, correspondence, and printed matter due to its affordability and versatility, with variations such as foolscap octavo (4.25 by 6.75 inches) and foolscap quarto (6.75 by 8.5 inches) used in book production.^[1]^[2] By the 18th and 19th centuries, it was standardized in Britain as either imperial foolscap (8.5 by 13.5 inches or 216 by 343 mm) or the slightly smaller British foolscap (8 by 13 inches or 203 by 330 mm), often lined for legal and administrative purposes.^[2] The term "foolscap" first appeared in English around 1690–1700, evolving from the earlier 1630s reference to a jester's cap itself, reflecting the watermark's influence on nomenclature.^[3]^[1] Its widespread adoption persisted until the mid-20th century, when it was largely supplanted by the ISO 216 standard, including A4 paper (8.27 by 11.7 inches or 210 by 297 mm), though remnants of foolscap sizing endure in regions like parts of Africa and for legacy filing systems.^[2] Today, it evokes the pre-metric era of stationery, with modern reproductions occasionally available for historical reenactments or archival work.^[1]

Overview

Definition

Foolscap is a historical paper format that originated in Europe, serving as a traditional standard for sheets used in writing, printing, and official documents before the widespread adoption of ISO A-series sizes. Known formally as foolscap folio, it represented a key part of the British Imperial system, distinct from modern metric standards, and was employed extensively for office correspondence, legal records, and business applications across the British Commonwealth.^[4]^[5] This format consisted of a rectangular sheet typically produced by folding or cutting from larger stock paper, making it a versatile and practical choice for document preparation in professional and administrative settings. Its design facilitated efficient use in scenarios requiring extended writing space, such as contracts and reports, and it remained a staple in Europe and Commonwealth regions from the 15th to the 20th centuries.^[4]^[6] Today, foolscap is largely obsolete, having been supplanted by standardized A4 and similar sizes, though it persists in references to legacy systems and archival practices. The format is often linked to a characteristic watermark featuring a fool's cap, emblematic of its historical identity.^[4]

Dimensions

Foolscap paper existed in two main variants: the British (8 × 13 inches or 203 × 330 mm) commonly used for writing and the Imperial (8.5 × 13.5 inches or 216 × 343 mm) for printing applications, providing a standard folio size suitable for documents and letterheads.^[4] These dimensions reflect the cut sizes after processing from larger sheets, ensuring consistency in handling and binding.^[4] The full uncut sheet of foolscap, known as the plano or base sheet, measures 13.5 × 17 inches (343 × 432 mm), from which the folio variants are derived through folding or cutting. This base size accommodates the production of multiple folios per sheet, optimizing material use in traditional papermaking.^[4] Aspect ratios for foolscap vary slightly between variants, with the printing form at approximately 1:1.59 (length to width) and the writing form at 1:1.63, both derived from the base sheet's ratio of about 1:1.26. The table below compares these ratios to the full sheet for clarity:

Variant	Dimensions (inches)	Dimensions (mm)	Aspect Ratio (length:width)
Full Sheet	13.5 × 17	343 × 432	1:1.26
Printing Folio	8.5 × 13.5	216 × 343	1:1.59
Writing Folio	8 × 13	203 × 330	1:1.63

These ratios are calculated as the longer dimension divided by the shorter one.^[4] Foolscap folios are produced by folding the full sheet once along its longer dimension (17 inches), yielding two leaves of 8.5 × 13.5 inches for printing, which can then be cut if needed. For quarto sizes, the sheet is folded twice—first to folio, then perpendicularly—to create four leaves, typically resulting in 6.5 × 8 inches (152 × 203 mm) after trimming.^[7] This method ensures the final product maintains the characteristic elongated form while minimizing waste.^[4] The foolscap printing variant shares a similar width to A4 paper (210 mm) but extends longer at 343 mm, distinguishing it from modern ISO standards.

History

Etymology

The term "foolscap" derives from "fool's cap," referring to the distinctive hooded hat adorned with bells worn by medieval jesters or fools.^[3] This headwear, originating in European courtly traditions, symbolized folly and entertainment, with the earliest English usage of "fool's cap" for the garment dating to the 1630s.^[3] The application of "foolscap" to paper emerged in the late 17th century, specifically around 1699–1700, when it denoted a size of writing or printing paper watermarked with an image of the jester's cap.^[8] Although the term for the paper is recorded from this period, the fool's cap watermark itself predates it, with early examples appearing on European paper as early as the 14th century and becoming widespread in the 15th and 16th centuries.^[2]^[9] Over time, the word evolved from the hyphenated "fool's-cap" to the single "foolscap," with historical texts also employing variations such as "cap paper" to describe similar formats of everyday writing stock.^[3]^[10]

Origins and development

The production of paper bearing the fool's cap watermark dates to the fifteenth century in Germany, where it served as an early identifier for certain paper sizes and became a hallmark of European manufacture during the late medieval and early modern periods.^[9] England's first commercially successful paper mill was established around 1588 by the German papermaker Sir John Spilman on the River Darent in Dartford under a royal patent from Queen Elizabeth I.^[11] Spilman is associated with the use of the fool's cap watermark in his production of white writing paper, marking a pivotal advancement in domestic paper manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports.^[12] This facilitated the integration of such formats into British printing and writing practices.^[11] During the 18th and 19th centuries, foolscap gained widespread adoption across the British Empire, particularly for official documents, ledgers, and correspondence in government and commercial settings.^[13] Its use expanded with the growth of colonial administration and trade, becoming a de facto standard for bureaucratic paperwork from London to outposts in India and Australia.^[7] Standardization in imperial measurements occurred amid the Industrial Revolution, as mechanized papermaking—pioneered by figures like Henry Fourdrinier in the early 1800s—enabled consistent production to meet rising demand for uniform sheets in printing presses and offices.^[7] The 20th century saw the gradual decline of foolscap due to the global shift toward metric-based standards, beginning with the German DIN 476 specification in 1922, which influenced the later ISO 216 international standard formalized in 1975.^[14] Adoption of ISO sizes like A4 proceeded slowly in the Commonwealth, where imperial traditions persisted; however, by the 1980s, foolscap had become obsolete in most regions as governments and industries transitioned to metric formats for efficiency and interoperability.^[7]

Usage and variations

Stationery and printing applications

Foolscap paper found widespread application in writing and correspondence due to its elongated format, which facilitated longer lines of text suitable for letters, manuscripts, and legal documents.^[15] In the 19th century, it was commonly used for personal and official correspondence, as evidenced by preserved letters from figures like Abraham Lincoln, who drafted notes on foolscap sheets.^[16] Legal pads, often produced in foolscap size, provided a ruled surface ideal for drafting contracts and notes, with the paper's dimensions allowing ample space for annotations without frequent page turns.^[17] This preference stemmed from the paper's practicality in an era when handwritten records dominated administrative and literary work. In printing and bookbinding, foolscap served as a standard medium for folios, newspapers, and official forms, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Printers in colonial America routinely used half-sheets of large foolscap for broadsides and pamphlets, valuing its availability and foldability for multi-page documents.^[18] British colonial legislation, such as the 1767 Townshend Acts, imposed duties on imported foolscap printing paper, underscoring its role in producing government paperwork and periodicals.^[19] By the late 19th century, U.S. congressional records document bulk purchases of foolscap reams for official forms and reports, highlighting its integration into bureaucratic printing processes.^[20] In bookbinding, foolscap sheets were trimmed to sizes like foolscap octavo for volumes, providing a balanced proportion for sewn bindings in literature and records. Stationery products tailored to foolscap dimensions included notebooks, envelopes, and specialized pads, enhancing its utility in daily and professional settings. Ruled foolscap notebooks were produced for students and clerks, offering a consistent format for extended writing sessions.^[21] Envelopes sized to accommodate folded foolscap sheets facilitated secure mailing of correspondence, while clipboards and pads designed for the format supported on-site documentation in legal and administrative contexts. These products were staples in offices until the mid-20th century, with foolscap's prevalence in archival collections reflecting its role in organized record-keeping.^[17] The advantages of foolscap paper largely derived from its production using rag pulp, a process involving sorted linen and cotton rags boiled in caustic soda and beaten to form durable fibers.^[22] This method yielded cost-effective, high-quality sheets compared to earlier alternatives like parchment, with rag content ensuring longevity for archiving—many 19th-century foolscap documents remain intact due to the pulp's tensile strength and resistance to degradation.^[22] The opacity and smoothness of rag-based foolscap also made it suitable for ink absorption in printing and writing, minimizing bleed-through in multi-page bindings.

Regional standards

In the British Commonwealth, foolscap paper was standardized at 8 × 13 inches and served as the primary office size until the gradual adoption of ISO A4 during the 1960s to 1980s, driven by international standardization efforts.^[7] Despite this shift, its legacy persists in archival filing systems and specialized stationery in countries like Australia and Canada, where foolscap-sized folders accommodate A4 sheets with extra clearance.^[7] In Mexico and parts of Latin America, foolscap is known as "papel oficio" with dimensions of 8.5 × 13.5 inches (216 × 343 mm), remaining a standard for official government documents and legal forms due to entrenched bureaucratic practices.^[23] This size continues to be widely available and used in administrative contexts, reflecting a non-imperial adaptation that prioritizes compatibility with regional printing equipment over metric standards.^[23] The United States adapted foolscap into "legal size" paper measuring 8.5 × 14 inches, originating from the practice of halving full foolscap sheets for legal documents in the 19th century.^[24] This variant endures in legal, business, and governmental applications, such as contracts and pleadings, where the extended length accommodates handwritten notes or signatures without refolding.^[24] Other regional variants include the F4 size at 210 × 330 mm in Indonesia and the Philippines, a metric approximation of foolscap used for schoolwork, official reports, and printing, often called "folio" or "long bond paper."^[25] This dimension, slightly narrower than traditional foolscap but aligned with ISO widths, highlights localized metric transitions while retaining the elongated format for practical document handling.^[26]

Watermark design

The foolscap watermark is characterized by the depiction of a jester's cap, typically shown as a tall, conical hat adorned with bells hanging from a stick or pole, sometimes accompanied by a feather, an arm holding the cap, or the jester's head itself. This design originated in European papermaking mills, particularly those in Germany, during the late 15th century.^[9]^[27] The primary purpose of the foolscap watermark was to function as a maker's mark, facilitating quality control, authentication of origin, and traceability in pre-industrial papermaking. By embedding a unique identifier visible when held to light, it allowed buyers, printers, and archivists to verify the paper's producer and standards, reducing the risk of counterfeiting or substandard goods in trade.^[2]^[28] Over the centuries, the foolscap watermark evolved from rudimentary line drawings in the 15th century to more intricate and stylized renderings by the 18th century, reflecting advances in wire craftsmanship and artistic preferences. The earliest documented example dates to 1479 from a German mill, while later English variations from the 1700s often featured embellished details like collars or architectural elements, such as a Dutch gabled house framing the cap. In England, the traditional jester design began transitioning to the Britannia emblem around the late 18th century to denote national production standards for foolscap-sized sheets.^[28]^[29]^[2] In the manufacturing process, the watermark was created by soldering a thin wire outline of the design onto the laid mould—a frame with a wire mesh used to form the paper sheet from pulp suspension. As the wet sheet was couched (transferred) from the mould and pressed during drying, the wire displaced pulp slightly, producing a translucent emblem integrated into the finished paper. This technique, standard in handmade paper production from the late Middle Ages onward, ensured the mark's durability without affecting the sheet's usability.^[9]^[30] The foolscap watermark's visual motif of a jester's cap directly inspired the naming of the paper size, linking its symbolic representation to the etymological origins discussed elsewhere.

Transition to metric sizes

The adoption of the ISO 216 standard profoundly influenced the decline of traditional foolscap sizes, promoting the A series, particularly A4 at 210 × 297 mm, as a global norm. Originating from the German DIN 476 specification introduced in 1925, these metric dimensions gained traction across Europe in the 1920s and saw accelerated uptake after World War II amid efforts to standardize international trade and documentation.^[31] In the United Kingdom, the transition commenced in the late 1950s, with the Post Office adopting A4 for official headed paper in 1959, marking an early step toward broader metrication of stationery and printing by the 1960s.^[32] This shift posed notable challenges, especially in Commonwealth nations reliant on imperial-era infrastructure. Incompatibility between foolscap dimensions and metric machinery necessitated hybrid production periods, where facilities operated dual systems to avoid disruptions. Retooling costs were considerable, encompassing redesigns for cutting and folding equipment, stock conversions, and workforce training, as highlighted in parliamentary discussions on metrication's economic implications.^[33] Key milestones included 1970s mandates enforcing A4 adoption; Australia adopted ISO 216 in 1974, with government sectors transitioning to A4 during the metrication efforts, while New Zealand aligned with similar policies during its comprehensive metrication drive completed by 1976. Lasting impacts persist in specialized domains, where foolscap endures in archival storage for compatibility with historical records and in niche stationery for traditionalists. In the United States, a derivative half-foolscap size, standardized as legal paper at 8.5 × 14 inches, remains prevalent in legal filings and court documents.^[24] Standardization via ISO 216 also yields environmental gains, as the √2 aspect ratio enables efficient halving without trim waste, minimizing overall paper consumption compared to irregular imperial formats.^[31]

References

[1]
FOOLSCAP Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com
Foolscap definition: a type of inexpensive writing paper, especially legal ... Word History and Origins. Origin of foolscap. First recorded in 1690–1700 ...
[2]
The Fool's Cap - Exeter Cathedral
Oct 6, 2023 · Foolscap was one of the commonest paper formats in parts of Europe from the 15th to 20th centuries. It was originally named after the design of the watermark.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[3]
Foolscap - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
foolscap(n.) ... also fool's-cap, 1630s, "type of cap worn by a jester;" see fool (n.1) + cap (n.). From c. 1700 as a type of writing paper, so called because it ...Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[4]
Foolscap Size & Dimensions For The Old British Imperial Paper Sizes
As you can see from this table the true size of Foolscap is 13¼ x 16½ inches. The paper that used to be commonly used in offices, which was called Foolscap, was ...
[5]
The Business of Books: Watermarks - J. Willard Marriott Library Blog
Oct 24, 2025 · Named after a jester's cap and bells, the Foolscap mark was commonly used on paper measuring about 8.5 × 13.5 inches from the fifteenth century ...
[6]
Compensation Efforts For Messiah War Veterans - LibGuides
Oct 23, 2024 · [5] Foolscap paper started in mid-fifteenth century Europe and was known for its large size (smallest being 16.5” by 13.25” compared to the ...
[7]
Paper Sizes - Imperial - The Engineering ToolBox
Printing and drawing papers sizes. ; Foolscap, paper cut, 13 1/2 x 8 1∕2, 343 x 216 ; Foolscap, for normal writing, 13 x 8, 330 x 203 ; Quarto, 10 x 8, 254 x 203.
[8]
https://rhollick.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/foolscap/
[9]
Foolscap - Imperial Paper Sizes
Foolscap paper size is 343 × 432 mm. Small Foolscap is 337 × 419 mm.
[10]
Foolscap Size in CM - Imperial Paper
The dimensions of Foolscap size is 34.3 x 43.2 cm or 343 x 432 mm or 13.5 x 17 inches.
[11]
Foolscap | Making Book - WordPress.com
Jun 9, 2017 · Foolscap meant a tall pad of white paper, around 8′′ x 13′′, ruled in pale blue, perhaps with a red double-lined vertical margin on the left.
[12]
[PDF] Dictionary_of_Typography_and_...
CAP PAPER.—A thin description of paper used for wrapping light articles ... the term as an abbreviation of Foolscap paper. CARD, OR CARDBOARD.—Several ...
[13]
Rembrandt's watermarked papers at the National Gallery of Victoria
Foolscap fragment The Foolscap watermark is an emblem of the court jester and likely originates from Germany. An early example is found in 1340 and by the mid ...
[14]
Dartford Technology: Papermaking - Sir John Spilman
It is an astounding fact that Britain's first commercially successful paper-mill was established on the River Darent in Dartford as early as 1588.
[15]
Oh, foolish Foolscap! | The Regency Redingote - WordPress.com
Oct 31, 2008 · Foolscap refers to the size of the paper, regardless of its quality. The name is taken from the watermark which was most commonly used for this size of paper.
[16]
A4 paper format / International standard paper sizes
Oct 29, 1996 · Standard paper sizes like ISO A4 are widely used all over the world today. This text explains the ISO 216 paper size system and the ideas behind its design.
[17]
Joshua L. Chamberlain to Nehemiah Cleaveland, Bowdoin College ...
[1] A fools cap could refer to a poor piece of paper that this letter was composed on. Chamberlain repeatedly reference the foolï¿½s cap apologizing for the ...
[18]
Bach to Baseball Cards - Conservation Highlights (Preservation ...
... foolscap, suggesting that Lincoln was not fully satisfied with the final ... The Smith Papers include many letters written by Jefferson and other important ...
[19]
Visible Man: Library Receives Ralph Eillson's Papers
Because modern paper contains such a high degree of acidity, legal pads, foolscap and newspapers can easily disintegrate. Dr. Birney must assure that necessary ...
[20]
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/SERIALSET-02760_00_00-012-0014-0000/pdf/SERIALSET-02760_00_00-012-0014-0000.pdf
[21]
Great Britian : Parliament - The Townshend Act, November 20, 1767
For every ream of paper called Second Ordinary Printing Fools Cap, six pence three farthings. For every ream of any other paper called Fools Cap Fine, not made ...
[22]
[PDF] THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, - GovInfo
1 ream letter-paper. ly ream letter-paper, at $3.77. 2 quires legal-cap paper, at 13 cents. Iream foolscap paper. 1 ream legal-cap paper. 1 ream bill-cap paper.
[23]
Printing and Writing - IBÁ - Indústria Brasileira de Árvores
Opaque and equally smooth on both sides, it is normally used for correspondence and to produce school notebooks, envelopes and foolscap sheets. Ícone.
[24]
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Manufacture of Paper, by R. W. ...
For many centuries parchment held a foremost place amongst the available materials serving the purpose of paper, and even to-day it is used for important legal ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[25]
Learning to "read" old paper | Folger Shakespeare Library
Jun 25, 2012 · The example shown below also has a watermark. Antique laid paper. Detail of 17th-century laid paper with foolscap watermark, back-lit.Missing: traditional | Show results with:traditional
[26]
Available Paper - Canon User Manual
Other supported paper sizes are as follows. FOOLSCAP/FOLIO (8 1/2" x 13" (215.9 mm x 330.2 mm)). OFICIO (8 1/2" x 12 1/2" (215.9 mm x 317.5 mm)). OFICIO (Mexico) ...
[27]
Ambiguous: the History of Legal Sized Paper - Law Library Guides
May 4, 2011 · These large sheets were known as foolscap. Legend has it that lawyers would simply cut the foolscap in half and use the sheets for official ...
[28]
Paper size - PApublishing
Jan 1, 2020 · In Indonesia and also the Philippines, “F4” paper is slightly broader: 215 × 330 mm, i.e. essentially Foolscap 8.5 × 13 in. In Indonesia ...
[29]
Table of F Series Paper Sizes (mm, cm, inch) - mainthebest
In Indonesia and Philippines, F4 paper is 215 × 330 mm. In Indonesia it is sometimes called Folio, while in Philippines it is sometimes also called Long Bond. A ...
[30]
Water Mark and its origin | Santhipriya Printing Pages
May 30, 2017 · The watermark which is most frequently observed in Venetian ... Foolscap, Pott, Post and so forth…………… :Unquote. The first group of ...
[31]
The watermark collection of Canon Ludwig von Büllingen - NGV
Jul 2, 2024 · Two pages are devoted to foolscap watermarks. These symbols represent court jesters and the examples in the album date from 1479 to 1742.<|separator|>
[32]
Patterns in paper: an introduction to watermarks found within Record ...
Mar 14, 2023 · The Jester's head and shoulders, with his fool's cap and bells was a very popular watermark throughout Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries ...Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
[33]
Watermarks & Foolscaps: Exploring the History of Paper Production
### Summary of Foolscap Watermark Information
[34]
A4 Paper / International Standard Paper Sizes
Oct 29, 1996 · Standard paper sizes like ISO A4 are today widely used all over the world. This text explains the ISO 216 paper size system and the ideas behind its design.
[35]
UK Metrication timeline
The Post Office adopts the metric-based “A” series of paper sizes, beginning with A4 for headed note paper. The related metric-based “B” and “C” series of paper ...
[36]
METRICATION (Hansard, 27 October 1970) - API Parliament UK
Oct 27, 1970 · Among the main costs of metrication are the costs of preparing new metric designs for products and of adapting or replacing existing machine ...
[37]
[PDF] Metrication in Australia (built 2013-06-24)
Apart from the Australian Government Printer there were no major users of ISO sizes other than A4, which became Australia's most popular stationery size.