University of Virginia Library

Arithmetic Colophons in Nineteenth-Century Books
by
William B. Todd

In certain English books, all undated but apparently of the 1880's, there appears below imprint at end of text a formula which, at present, I can only partially decipher. Possibly the ten examples given below, along with collations and assorted conjectures, may lead others to a proper interpretation.

Fortunately, as a means of comparison, a number of these entries are found in "The Grosvenor Poets," a series edited by William M. Rossetti, published by William Collins, Sons, & Co., and printed by S. Cowan & Co. at Perth. In these volumes the Byron has no imprint, the Cowper and Pope an imprint but no formula, two others an imprint with further notation:

     

Volume	Collation	Formula
Wordsworth	[a]8 A-2M8 2N4	5-19-64Q-9-82
Milton	[a]2 [b]8 A-2E8 2F6	3-15-80 Q10-82

In all entries the first number defies analysis. Except for the Coleridge volume, cited later, the second entry records, to the nearest round number, one-half of the full gatherings required for the book — a number which might suggest (were it not for contrary evidence given below) that the sheets were originally double-size, 19 and 15 here representing, for each copy, the total count. References 64Q and 80 Q may pertain not to quires but (again as later evidence will show) to the number of reams for each job. If so, however, the Wordsworth issue, in relation to the Milton, would be far less than the ratio 64/80, for it requires more paper (19/15) per copy. The last two numbers would seem to indicate date of printing, that is, September and October 1882 respectively.

Two other volumes, printed apparently in April and May 1883, now carry, as final entry in the formula, a reference to paper stock.

   

Hood (1)	[a]8 b8 A-2B8	5-14-86Q.-4-83-C.14
Hood (2)	[a]8 b2 A-2F8 2G6	3-16-76-Q.-5-83-C.-14

Four more volumes, now exhibiting date reference in third and fourth position, were printed in July, October, October, and December 1883 respectively.

       

Moore	[a]8 b8 A-2O8 2P2	3-20-7-83-30x40-60-C.14
Hemans	[a]6 b8 A-2O8 2P2	4-20-10-83-30x40-60-C.-14
Burns	[a]8 b8 A-2I8	3-17-10-83-30x40-70-C.-14
Coleridge	[a]8 b8 A-2C8 2D4	3-20-12-83-30x40-60-C.-14

After date reference a new entry, the multiple 30x40, signifies paper not double but quadruple the size required for each gathering (now measuring 7 x 4¾" cut or, unfolded, 14 x 19"). Following this entry is the number of reams per volume, a figure which allows a determination of issue approximating:        

Moore	39¼/4 or 9.81 sheets	) 500 x 60 reams = 3060 copies
Hemans	39/4 or 9.75	) 500 x 60 = 3080
Burns	34/4 or 8.5	) 500 x 70 = 4120
Coleridge	28½/4 or 7.1	) 500 x 60 = 4225

At the same time these last volumes were issuing at Perth two others of a different order, published by Ward, Lock and Co., were being prepared some distance away — but again according to the formula as finally devised. One of these, Bret Harte's Two Men of Sandy Bar (BAL 7490, 2d part), printed October 1883 by Unwin Brothers, Chilworth and London, may be described as:

 

1-128

1½-6-10-83-27x34-70-B13

Since the paper is still of quadruple size (the gathering measuring 6⅜ x 4" cut), the total issue would appear to be no less than 11,600.

The other, Mark Twain's New Pilgrims' Progress (not listed, but 2d part of combined issue with BAL 3636), was in November 1883 printed for Ward, Lock by Billing and Sons, Guildford and London.

 

[A]16 B-K16

3-10-11-83-27x34-46-C-13

As this is an octavo in 16s the sheet here would accommodate only two signatures, and total issue thus, it seems, is no more than 4600.