Gaskell 1972: Difference between revisions
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== Book Production: The Hand-press Period 1500-1800 == | == Book Production: The Hand-press Period 1500-1800 == | ||
=== The Hand-printed Book === | === The Hand-printed Book === | ||
printing process: | |||
#''compositor'': type --> ''composing stick'' (several lines) --> ''galley'' (whole page); tie with string, move to the next | #''compositor'': type --> ''composing stick'' (several lines) --> ''galley'' (whole page); tie with string, move to the next | ||
#''imposition'': arrange many pages of type for one sheet --> fix in a pair of iron frames (''chases''), one for each side --> locked together, two chases of type create a ''forme'' | #''imposition'': arrange many pages of type for one sheet --> fix in a pair of iron frames (''chases''), one for each side --> locked together, two chases of type create a ''forme'' | ||
#trial prints (''proofs'') made from formes; compared with copy; errors marked by ''corrector'' (possibly author), marked proofs used by compositor to correct type | #trial prints (''proofs'') made from formes; compared with copy; errors marked by ''corrector'' (possibly author), marked proofs used by compositor to correct type | ||
#formes placed on printing press | #formes placed on printing press: wooden frame; screw, worked by hand, to force the platen down onto the type; movable carriage for type and paper to run under platen; worked by two pressman --> one fits paper on frame, folds it down onto the type, and runs the carriage under the platen; the other inks the type; printed one side, then another | ||
#arranged piles of printed sheets along a bench, picking them up one by one to collate the sheets | |||
:: | #collated sheets sent to binder, who folded each sheet and sewed them together into volumes | ||
''foliation'': numbering leaves | |||
''pagination'': numbering pages | |||
''direction line'': first word of the next page at the bottom of the page | |||
''head'': top of book | |||
''tail'': bottom of book | |||
''gathering'': one or more pair of leaves (''conjugate paires'') joined at the back, made from one folded sheet, or fraction of a sheet, or several folded sheets tucked inside one another (''quired'') | |||
*identified by a ''signature'', a letter or letters of the alphabet placed in the direction line of the first recto, often repeated on subsequent rectos, indicating order of the gatherings | |||
*main signature series begins with the text; title page, dedication, etc., often not included because they would have been printed last -- reprints may begin signatures at the beginning | |||
''imprint'': identifying printer on the title page | |||
''colophon'': identifying printer at the back of the book | |||
=== Printing Type === | === Printing Type === | ||
=== Composition === | === Composition === | ||
Revision as of 19:54, 4 June 2010
Book Production: The Hand-press Period 1500-1800
The Hand-printed Book
printing process:
- compositor: type --> composing stick (several lines) --> galley (whole page); tie with string, move to the next
- imposition: arrange many pages of type for one sheet --> fix in a pair of iron frames (chases), one for each side --> locked together, two chases of type create a forme
- trial prints (proofs) made from formes; compared with copy; errors marked by corrector (possibly author), marked proofs used by compositor to correct type
- formes placed on printing press: wooden frame; screw, worked by hand, to force the platen down onto the type; movable carriage for type and paper to run under platen; worked by two pressman --> one fits paper on frame, folds it down onto the type, and runs the carriage under the platen; the other inks the type; printed one side, then another
- arranged piles of printed sheets along a bench, picking them up one by one to collate the sheets
- collated sheets sent to binder, who folded each sheet and sewed them together into volumes
foliation: numbering leaves pagination: numbering pages
direction line: first word of the next page at the bottom of the page
head: top of book tail: bottom of book
gathering: one or more pair of leaves (conjugate paires) joined at the back, made from one folded sheet, or fraction of a sheet, or several folded sheets tucked inside one another (quired)
- identified by a signature, a letter or letters of the alphabet placed in the direction line of the first recto, often repeated on subsequent rectos, indicating order of the gatherings
- main signature series begins with the text; title page, dedication, etc., often not included because they would have been printed last -- reprints may begin signatures at the beginning
imprint: identifying printer on the title page colophon: identifying printer at the back of the book