Plate 122:  Adding a souvenir mug to the collection, Part 8: boxboard is discussed
(This plate added SEP 2004)

Now we must select a suitable grade of boxboard," said the Collector in his alter ego of Advisory Aesthetician, a role frequently assumed by the Collector whenever matters of fashion and style are under consideration. "Boxboard?", queried the Photographer in his alter ego of Artisan, a role often assumed by the Photographer whenever matters of artifice and construction emerge into importance. "What, exactly, do we mean by 'boxboard'?" --more--

"Boxboard" is a term used in the pulp-and-paper-products industry," replied the Advisory Aesthetician. "Boxboard is a type of paperboard. As the names imply, paperboard is simply a heavy, stiff form of paper, and boxboard is paperboard which is destined to be made into boxes." "I see," said the Artisan. "This means that the shipping cartons in which books, supplies and tools are delivered to my shop are made of boxboard." "That is probably not the case," said the Advisory Aesthetician. "Shipping cartons usually possess a corrugated inner layer. The industry often refers to such corrugated paperboard as containerboard. Boxboard, on the other hand, is a term which refers to a thinner and more flexible variety of paperboard. For example, boxes containing breakfast cereals are made of boxboard." "Where can we find a reliable supply of boxboard?" asked the Artisan. "A continuous supply of boxboard is no further away than the household pantry," replied the Advisory Aesthetician. "After the entire contents of a box of cereal, or rice, or crackers, has been consumed, the box should be opened up along its seam, flattened, and stored in a suitable repository. The accompanying photo shows a display of scrap boxboard consisting of opened and flattened boxes that had previously contained breakfast cereals, facial tissues, rice and saltine crackers. Go to top of page