Fig. 51.
In designing a title-page a great deal depends on the style of book it is intended for. A book on architecture or engineering would require quite different treatment from a volume of poetry.
A very simple form of title-page is suggested in [Fig. 51] (a). This consists of nicely-arranged lettering with a printer’s device or some symbolical ornament. If desired, the larger lettering may be drawn and the rest printed from good type well arranged. It is hardly necessary to add that the lettering should be in keeping with that used in the other part of the book.
A title-page with the lettering printed from type and suitable decoration added is a very satisfactory form.
The next one, shown in (b), is one where the lettering is enclosed within a border. This may be either quite simple or elaborate, as desired.
The style indicated in (c) is one in which the lettering is incorporated with the design. This is a form often employed for an elaborately decorated edition, such as a volume of poems.
The next one (d) is the pictorial type: nicely-arranged lettering with a picture in the centre. This may be either in line or colour, but generally it is in line, treated rather boldly. A woodcut illustration with red and black lettering makes a very effective title-page.
The last suggestion, given in (e), is for the double form of title-page. A good number of richly decorated volumes are of this form.
Another type that is often used is where the lettering is placed on a tablet, scroll, cartouche, or other ornamental device; or the page may be a combination of lettering, border, and illustration. Instead of a border that is rigidly defined it may have a border that is quite loose in character.
Possibly several other variations will suggest themselves to the artist.