Brewer's: Letters at the Foot of a Page

Printers affix a letter to the first page of each sheet; these letters are called signatures. They begin with B, and sometimes, but not always, omit J, V, W. A is reserved for the title and preface. After Z, the alphabet is used double- thus, A A or 2 A- and then trebled, quadrupled, etc., as necessity demands. Sometimes figures, 1, 2, 3, etc., are used instead of letters. (See Sheet.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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