This long wooden tool is a newspaper holder stick (also called a newspaper file, newspaper binder stick, newspaper rod, press file, or newspaper spindle). It’s designed to hold a folded newspaper securely by sliding the paper into long grooves/slots running down the stick—creating a firm “spine,” similar to a book.
Common Names
- Newspaper holder stick
- Newspaper file / press file
- Newspaper binder stick
- Newspaper rod / newspaper spindle
- Library newspaper stick
What It Was Used For
Libraries and reading rooms used these sticks to:
- Keep newspapers together (prevent pages from scattering or tearing)
- Store and archive newspapers neatly on shelves or in racks
- Make newspapers easier to handle and read, like a bound volume
- Organize daily issues by date (often one issue per stick)
How It Works (Simple Explanation)
Most designs function the same way:
- Fold the newspaper as usual.
- Slide the folded edge (the “spine” side) into the stick’s long slot(s).
- The stick grips the newspaper along the fold, turning it into a stiff, easy-to-hold format.
- The paper can then be stored upright or hung/stacked depending on the library’s system.
Key Features Visible in Your Item
- Long, multi-groove wooden shaft (the grooves guide and grip the folded pages)
- Rounded handle section for comfortable holding
- A decorative end cap/knob (the flower-like end), which also helps prevent the paper from sliding off and can assist with hanging or indexing
- Smooth aged wood finish, suggesting a utilitarian item made to withstand frequent handling
When It First Appeared
- Newspaper filing systems became widespread as newspapers exploded in circulation during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- These sticks were especially common in libraries, clubs, offices, hotels, and reading rooms, where many people handled the same papers daily.
- They remained in use well into the 20th century, particularly before microfilm and modern archival boxing became standard.
Who Created It
There isn’t one universally credited inventor because:
- The concept developed as part of broader paper filing and library organization tools.
- Many versions were mass-produced by stationers, library suppliers, and office-furnishing companies, with regional variations in design.
- Some forms were patented in different countries over time, but the everyday “newspaper stick” became a common utility object rather than a single-brand invention.
Why Libraries Loved It
- Durability: Wood (or sometimes metal) could handle constant daily use.
- Speed: Staff could secure an issue in seconds.
- Order: Each newspaper became a tidy, shelf-friendly unit.
- Protection: Reduced page loss, tearing, and wrinkling.
How to Identify Yours
If you want to describe it accurately for a listing or article, these details matter:
- Material: wood (often hardwood)
- Form: long rod with multiple longitudinal grooves
- Use-case: newspaper binding/filing for reading rooms and libraries
- Era: commonly associated with late 19th to mid-20th century examples (exact dating depends on maker and construction)
Practical Modern Uses (Optional)
Even today, similar sticks can be used for:
- Holding newspapers for display
- Storing large folded documents
- Organizing posters, patterns, or craft paper (if the grooves fit the fold securely)
Conclusion
This is a classic library newspaper holder stick—a deceptively simple tool that solved a real problem: how to keep a large, fragile newspaper together, readable, and easy to store. By turning loose pages into a “book-like” format, it became a quiet staple of libraries and reading rooms for decades.
