6.5" x 9", 4.5" x 6.75"
Paper and Cotton
Lisbon

In 1918, when Emílio da Silva Braga was founded they were considered the finest stationers of the time. Almost a century later, Emílio Braga Lda., still a family business, continues to produce notebooks including the famous “galoche” (from the French galuchat), a distinctive notebook that is fully handmade. It is the true Portuguese notebook. The black and white cover pattern is called "cloud"; there is a matching pattern on the edge of the paper. People, myself included, continually ask how the edges of the paper are printed with their unique pattern; when we visited the factory we were surprised to see the pattern is still hand-sponged. Three woman produce the notebooks; the two we met had been with the company for 35 and 37 years respectively. The large notebook has blank pages; the small one has lines. Until now I never used a notebook with an elastic. It's very handy, I stuff all sorts of items inside my book and everything is held safe and secure. I have to say I really like using this notebook because it is beautiful, well-made and because every time I take it out I think about the crazy hand sponging and the ladies who make them. It's something.