So, in 1972, when you’re travelling throughout Europe, there is a suprising variety of toilet papers.
The funniest one, which got me started, although, ironically, I dont’t have a copy of, is the tp in British Loos. At that time (and for all I know, perhaps it still does) the words “Property of Her Majesty’s Government” was written of every sheet of these little pieces of waxed paper that were supposed to be useful.
The whole idea that we were somehow, illicitly soiling Her Majesty’s tp just tickled me to death. WHy would she want it? Of course she wouldn’t. But why would she put her name on every piece? Who made that decision? It was just too ironic for belief.
Then, as we were travelling throughough various countries, I started keeping samples. THere were all kinds of textures and colors. Some like sandpaper, some like rice paper, and some ridged and some softer. The Hotel Bisanzio le nice has pink, double-plied paper that we would consider very rough, but for those days, was pretty soft.
The Basel Kunst Museum in Switzerland provided something like a brown paper towel. The Zeehotel Zellan, Austria was ribbed and almost salmony in color. Hotel Weisses Kreuz, Switzerland… a kind of smally ribbed, sandpapery salmon paper.
My god. I’m getting waves of nostalgia reading these names. I don’t know why, the Hotel Wiesses Kreuz stands out in that I actually remember the name. I didn’t remember the other names. I wonder if something interestng happened there?
Unfortunately, not every piece is labelled about its source.
Anyway, I got caught up in this—even in those days I was a data collector (if not analyst). The whole family started helping me. I see my brother’s handwriting on some of the sheets.
SO that’s the story. Back then, there was much more variation in tp than we see today. Besides which, the Europeans weren’t all hep on white tp. Have a party! Try some colored tp!