Flash Paper

Flash paper is thin, flammable paper. The paper is made from nitrocellulose, created when cellulose is treated with nitric acid. When the paper is ignited, it bursts into flames. Flash paper burns quickly and completely, leaving behind little to no ash. In The Hesperus Prophecy, this property is what makes flash paper valuable to the Clypeate, and why the SS Valencia’s Antarctica report is typed on it. Flash paper is easily destroyed, an important safeguard against the document falling into the wrong hands, and why James is surprised when Director Bowen barely touches a match to the document and it bursts into flames. Besides the Clypeate’s motivation for using flash paper, it’s also popular amongst magicians as a splashy, theatrical effect.