Mr. Eisenberg. Mr. Cole, did you say there was no pen lift after finishing the second cusp, until the letters "as" are added?
Mr. Cole. That is correct.
Mr. Eisenberg. So that the "x" is not crossed, so to speak, until the entire word is correct.
Mr. Cole. That is correct.
Mr. Eisenberg. How distinctive would you regard this form as being?
Mr. Cole. Well, I regard it as highly unusual and carrying a good deal of weight for identification purposes, because it is a wide departure from the copybook method or conventional method of making the letter, and it involves the addition of a part rather than an omission which might come from carelessness.
Still considering Exhibit 785 and inspecting the word "Air" of "Air mail," just under the stamp, I find a correspondence in the letter forms with the standard writing. Chart B, item 5, where the same word is reproduced, "Air." One distinctive feature there is the simplified method of making the shoulder of the letter "r." Where the copybook or conventional form would show first a point at the top of the "r" and then the production of a rounded shoulder, this omits the point, form and develops immediately into a rapidly sloping or curving down slope.
Mr. Eisenberg. Will you illustrate the copybook form on your chart paper, Mr. Cole?
Mr. Cole. The conventional or copybook form of this "r" would be approximately in this manner: Cusp at the top, broad shoulder on the right side.
Mr. Eisenberg. May I have that admitted as 787, Mr. Chairman, the copybook form of the "r"?