 | |  |
4.
The final edition of Parthenissa is the folio reprint of all six parts printed by Thomas Newcomb, Sr., and published by
The text seems to indicate clearly that two compositors set the copy; the problem rests with determining the exact division of their labors. Evidence pointing to the work of two compositors is of several sorts. First to be noted is an abrupt break in pagination between Parts Three and Four, a skip in numbering from page 403 to 485, accompanied by a similar interruption in signatures, a skip from 3F2 to 3Q1, evidently the result of a very inaccurate job of casting off copy. Second, from gathering 3Q to the end of the volume there occur two pairs of running-titles—each compositor used two skeletons in imposing the folio gatherings in fours—entirely different from those appearing in the first portion of the volume. Third, the type-page for all full pages from 3Q to the end contains consistently 53 lines (24 1/2 cm.) while that of all full pages in the first part of the volume contains consistently only 52 (24 cm.).
From this positive evidence we may conclude that the text was divided between two compositors, A and B: compositor A beginning with signature B, the first gathering with normal running titles; compositor B starting arbitrarily with 3Q, the first leaves of Part Four. The variations in running-titles and in the number of lines to the full page indicate that the type set by each compositor was printed in different sets of formes. If the compositors were setting simultaneously, as probably they were, two presses would have been used of necessity.
In addition to these general conclusions, however, there is this one point to be noted. One stretch of 23 pages, extending from page 377 (3C1) to page 403 (3F2) in the first portion of the volume set by compositor A, exhibits all the characteristics of the work of compositor B and of the formes which his pressman was using. Each full page has 53 lines of letterpress, and all the running-titles, starting with page 377 or signature 3C1 and running to page 403 or signature 3F2 are different from all
Thus the general conclusions for the setting up and printing of the folio text are these: the text was divided between two compositors, A and B, working simultaneously, each with a different press. Compositor A set the type for pages 1 (B1) to 376 (3B4v). Compositor B set the type for pages 485-808 (3Q1-5K3v), the whole of the text of Parts Four, Five, and Six. Since the composing assignment of compositor B was 53 pages shorter than that of compositor A, compositor B very likely finished his task before his fellow workman, and then undertook to help compositor A complete his stint by setting up the text of the last 23 pages (pages 377-403), 3C1-3F2 of Part Three. It is unreasonable to conclude that compositor B completed Part Three before starting on the text of the last three parts; if he had, the abrupt break in pagination and signatures would not have occurred.
| | |