15th and early 16th century.

The books of these periods are in some respects exceptionally treated, but the general plan is similar to that of the later press. Pages 1–7 (printed off in 1889) must be taken in close connexion with Appendixes A and B, which correct and supplement those pages in important points.

1585–1640.

1. After the heading (which in all cases is the author or a body representing the author, if known; otherwise the catch-title) comes the title, reproduced faithfully so far as was possible with the employment of four types. A fifth minute type indicates letters represented by contractions in the original. The occurrence of a “motto” (whether a text or quotation), a device (see p. 289) or woodcuts (see p. 290) is noted in square brackets. A * before the heading implies “undated”: a † “no place of printing mentioned.”

2. Next follows the technical description, comprising:—

a. The number of the imprint (see pp. 292–310: it would have been better to add the names of the printer and publisher to the bare reference).

b. The date.

c. The apparent size of a page of an ordinary uncut copy, according to the scale,

The number of leaves in a section (quire or gathering) precedes, within round brackets, when different from what is suggested by the apparent size: as “(eights) small 4^o.” When it has been desirable to indicate further the way in which the original sheets of paper have been folded, the words single, double, or treble (for once, twice, or thrice folded) are used on p. 238.

d. The number of pages of a perfect copy, in square brackets when there is no printed pagination, as “pp. [16] + 121 + [9].” When printed pagination does not occur in the book at all, the signatures are also given.

e. The first words of the 11th page, and of later ones in the case of a large work, always in italics.

f. The common type of the body of the work, followed by the terms Roman, Italic, or English (i. e. Black-letter): see pp. 291–2.

g. The contents. Every page not mentioned is blank, without exception.

3. Notes on the book. A reference to Wood’s AthenÆ and Fasti Oxonienses, as edited by Bliss (1813–20), has been considered as superseding in most instances any biographical account of the author. And the limitation of the present work to a bibliography of a press, not of books connected with the University, has been borne in mind.