If large capitals be used, the Name of the Book, the Author, &c., above; the Name of the Publisher, the Date, &c., below,[110] may together fill the page. Ordinary capitals (as used in the text) leave a space in the centre (see Title Page of this book): often pleasantly filled by a small woodcut—a symbolical device, monogram, or printer’s mark.
Generally, the fewer and simpler the types, the better: though contrasts of size, form, or colour [p364] (see p. [327])—such as printing one or two words in large CAPITALS, or in
(p. [331]), or part in red—may sometimes be used with good effect. When the types are rather varied, single or double framing lines (called “rules”) placed round the page have the effect of binding the whole together. The page may also be divided into parts by transverse “rules”—these further solidify it. Black rules are preferable to red (p. [144]): if they are double, the outer line may be thicker than the inner.[111]
Relation of Title Pages, &c., to the Text.—Generally the practical part of the book is to be considered and settled before the ornamental and the decorated Title page conforms to the treatment of the text pages, and should be clearly related to them by the character of its letters or its ornaments. Its margins (especially the top margin) should be approximately the same as those of the text pages, though framing borders may occupy part of, or nearly all, the marginal space. Without doubt the artless, ordinarily printed title page is preferable to those specially designed “title pages” that have little or no relation to the rest of the book.
Wood Engraving (see pp. [365], [371]).—Of all the “processes,” wood engraving agrees best with printing. The splendid effect of Title and Initial pages engraved in wood may be seen in the books of the Kelmscott Press. In early printing, woodcut ornaments or borders were commonly used to [p365] decorate the printed title page. An example of this combined method—of which unfortunately the greater part of the borders have to be left out—is shown in fig. [201] (from a 16th century book).[112]
Initial Pages and Openings.—The claim of these to decorative treatment should be considered (p. [128]). We generally look at the outside of a book for the title—which should be clearly stamped on the cover. But inside the book we look rather for its actual beginning than for its name, and, while something in the nature of the “sub-title” might be used, it would be quite reasonable to revive the ancient fashion—especially in the case of MS. Books—of making the actual beginning the most decorative part of the book. Or a very fine effect may be obtained by the decoration of the entire initial opening—the title on the verso (left page), the beginning of the first chapter on the recto (right page).
LETTERING FOR REPRODUCTION
Where it is possible, it is generally best to make use of ordinary typography. A good fount of type and a natural setting-up or arrangement of it, are more effective than many special designs (see pp. [364], [267]).