A
The first letter of the English Alphabet. Signature A is the first sheet of every work, and is called the Title-sheet: but the letter itself is never inserted at foot, as the title-page sufficiently indicates how the sheet is to be collated and folded; B being the first signature commencing the body of a work. In Parliamentary Bills, Chancery Bills, and similar work, however, it is usual and necessary to insert the letter. (See Signatures.)
A
As the Printer’s direction to the Bookbinder, designates the first signature of every book. When the title-page commences the first sheet the signature is not employed, as the title-page sufficiently indicates how the sheet is to be collated and folded; B being the first signature commencing the body of a work. In Parliamentary Bills, Chancery Bills, and similar work, however, it is usual and necessary to insert the letter.
In wood-letter fount specimens in this country, and in the general specimen sheets of jobbing letter issued by the American Founders, the number of letter A is indicated to denote the number of letters in the rest of the fount.
Wood Type.—The following scale shows the number of letters for each found, from 3 A to 5 A:—
| Caps. | Caps, Lower | Cp.Lr.Fg. | Lower | Figures | Dozen. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 A fount | 74 | 138 | 164 | 64 | 26 | 13¾ |
| 4 A,, | 106 | 196 | 222 | 90 | 26 | 18½ |
| 5 A,, | 120 | 224 | 250 | 104 | 26 | 20¾ |