A small Bound MS. is certainly the most easily handled form in which an address may be prepared—its convenience to the penman, the signatories, the reader, and the addressee, is strongly in its favour. A lengthy address, or a very large number of names, may be contained in a comparatively small book.
Method of Planning out Addresses, &c.—If in the [p358] book form, the address is treated much as an ordinary book (see Chap. VI., and Binding, p. [346]). The framed or scroll address is planned similarly to a single sheet (p. [90]). The following notes of a working method were made during the planning out of an address:—
(1) Decide approximately the general form, shape, and decorative treatment of address. | ||
(2) Count words in TEXT (leaving out HEADING and SIGNATURES) | = 130 | |
Count paragraphs | = 3 | |
(Decide whether first or last paragraph is to be in a different form or colour.) | ||
Decide approximate width | = 12 inches. | |
Decide approximate side margins(212 inches each) | = 5 inches. | |
Hence length of writing-line | = 7 inches. | |
Allow12inch lines, and approximately eight words to the line. | ||
(3) 130 words TEXT, approx. | 16 lines | = 8 in. deep. |
Allow extra (on account paragraphs) | 1 line | = 12 in. deep. |
(Roughly sketch out HEADING on lines each12inch by 7 inches.) Allow for HEADING | 6 lines | = 3 in. deep. |
Allow for two SIGNATURES, &c. | 3 lines | = 112 in. deep. |
Total depth of Writing, &c. | 26 lines | = 13 inches. |
Allow for Top margin | 2 inches. | |
Allow for Foot margin | 3 inches. | |
(Note.—This was a “scroll,” and the foot margin was folded up to within an inch of the SIGNATURES. A plain sheet would have required about 4 inches foot margin.) | ||
Length of Parchment | 18 inches. | |
(4) Cut a paper pattern, 12 inches by 18 inches. Rule (in pencil) Side margins(212 inches and212 inches), and Top margin (2 inches), and 26(12inch) lines. On this write out the address in ordinary handwriting, using ordinary black and red (or coloured) inks: make approximately eight words to the line, and write as fast as possible; this helps to keep the spacing uniform. This written pattern should not take more than twenty minutes for its entire preparation: it is intended to be used as a check on the previous calculation (not as an exact plan), and as a copy, it being easier to copy from your own, than from another’s, handwriting. If the original draft is typewritten, it is hardly necessary to make such a pattern. | ||
(5) Check this copy very carefully with the original to see that the words, &c., are correct. | ||
(7) On some scraps of parchment, ruled with a few similar lines, and pounced, try one or two lines of writing, both in vermilion and black, to see that all goes well. | ||
This enables you to get the pens and inks into working order, and will very likely save the carefully prepared parchment from being spoilt. | ||
(8) Write out the address, leaving suitable gaps for gold or special letters. | ||
(9) Put in special letters, decorative capitals, and any other decoration. | ||
(10) Check the finished address very carefully with the original draft (see (5) above) and look it over for mistakes, dotting i’s, and putting in commas, &c., if left out. It is important that such a formal document should be accurate. | ||
General Remarks.—The above simple mode of planning out can be further simplified in custom and practice. By the penman keeping to regular shapes, proportions,[108] and modes of treatment for regular [p360] occasions, the addresses, &c., will practically “plan themselves” (p. [101]), and better workmanship is the natural result.
Generally the simpler the form and the treatment of an Illuminated Address, the better the effect. The most effective decoration is the plain coloured or gold capital, and the finest ornament is a coat-of-arms (see “Heraldry,” below; and for general, [p361] simple Illumination, see Chapters VII. to XIII.). A symbolical mark, such as a crest, badge, monogram, cypher, or other device (p. [362]), boldly and decoratively treated, may be used in place of a coat-of-arms.
There is too much “Illumination” in the conventional “Address,” which looks like a “piece of decoration” with a little writing. A really reasonable and effective Illuminated Address is a piece of writing suitably decorated.
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