Black
& Red

TAIL-PIECES, COLOPHONS, &C.

Fig. 96 represents a coloured Tail-piece or
decorative finish at the end of a book (or chapter).

The Colophon (seep. 94 & figs. 13,191), generally
distinguished from the text by a smaller or different
hand, and—especially in early printed books—by
colour or other decorative treatment, occurs at the
end of a book, where it is the traditional right of
the penman and the printer to add a statement or
a symbolical device. The Name (of craftsman and
assistants), Time, and Place are commonly stated—
preferably quite simply—e.g. “This book, written
out by me, A.B., in LONDON, was finished on the
3 ist day of DECEMBER 1900.” Any reasonable
matter of interest concerning the text, the materials,
methods, lettering, or ornament, and an account of the
number of leaves and their size, ІЗc., may be added.
But the craftsman, properly and modestly keeping
his name off the title-page, is at liberty to exercise
his right, marking the end of, and signing his work
in any way he chooses—even in a speech or a
sentiment—provided the form of the colophon be
unobtrusive and its language natural. Printer’s
devices or book-marks, consisting of symbols, mono¬
grams, &c. (p. 326), were likewise used.

The opportunity generally provided by the final
margin, and the natural wish to close the book
with a fitting ornament, also led to the use of colour
or capitals in the concluding lines; and sometimes
the “tail” of the text was given a triangular form,
the lines becoming shorter and shorter
till they ended in a single
word, or even one
letter.

108

But L have not fmlskcd
tke £vc acts, but on
drrce of them*—*■ Tlvoit
sayest well , but in life
tke three acte are ther
whole drama; (or what
shall be a complete dra-
ma ie determmeb by him
who was once the cause
of its composition, and
now of its dissolution:
but thou art the cause
of neithet -—'

Depart then satisfied)
for he also who re~-
leases thee is sattsfieo.

Fig. 96

Black
& Red

109