Pulled Paste Papers

 

Above: Vintage 19th century 'pulled paste' paper.

To create this rather creepy effect the paper is covered with a coloured paste.  Then, another sheet of paper would be laid over the top of the first and pressed lightly together while the paste was still wet.  Then the two papers would be pulled away from one another causing the line work to appear.  There are small sections on this paper which have a flatter look than the rest of the paper.  These sections could have been created after the other part was finished.  While the paste was still wet, some sort of implement with a smooth edge would have been drawn across (lightly) the paper, causing these smoothed sections to appear. Or, these may simply be sections where the two papers did not touch when being pressed together.  A pocket like this would leave areas visible where you could see places the paste was originally applied to the paper. 

Above: 1693 decorative endpaper created using pulled paste.