38th Biennial Congress of the International Association of Paper Historians (IPH), which will be held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from
38th IPH Congress 2026 ‘PAPER TRADE’
24–29 August 2026
Main location: Oude Lutherse Kerk (Aula, University of Amsterdam)
Singel 411, 1012 WN Amsterdam, the Netherlands
PAPER TRADE
Join us for an international exploration of the history of the paper trade, from medieval Europe to global networks spanning Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Americas.
Through case studies on trade routes, merchants, printers, artists, collectors, and papermakers, speakers will reveal how paper connected economies, cultures, and ideas across centuries. From the VOC and world fairs to Japanese washi, Indian paper, and Ottoman collections, participants will discover the remarkable journeys of paper as a global commodity and cultural connector.
The congress features three days of lectures in Amsterdam by leading scholars and heritage professionals from around the world. In addition, participants will enjoy a full day of excursions to libraries, archives, museums, and other paper-related sites in Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague and Rijswijk. One day of lectures and heritage visits will take place in and around Zaandam, in the Zaan region, where wind-powered paper mills produced paper used to print the Declaration of Independence, whose 250th anniversary is celebrated in 2026. A further excursion will visit the Veluwe, the second major historic papermaking region of the Netherlands, renowned for its water-powered paper mills and rich papermaking heritage.
Looking forward to welcoming you for a week of scholarship, discovery, and exchange dedicated to the global history of paper.
Programme overview with link and download [PDF] to the full programme
Registration closes at August 1st: https://www.aanmelder.nl/iphcongress2026/registration
The 2026 IPH(olland) Organising Committee
Birgit, Carin, Geke, Henk, Idelette & Leila
