15th and early 16th century.
The books of these periods are in some respects exceptionally treated,
but the general plan is similar to that of the later press. Pages 1–7
(printed off in 1889) must be taken in close connexion with Appendixes A
and B, which correct and supplement those pages in important points.
1585–1640.
1. After the heading (which in all cases is the author or a body
representing the author, if known; otherwise the catch-title) comes the
title, reproduced faithfully so far as was possible with the employment
of four types. A fifth minute type indicates letters represented by
contractions in the original. The occurrence of a “motto” (whether a
text or quotation), a device (see p. 289) or woodcuts (see p. 290) is
noted in square brackets. A * before the heading implies “undated”: a †
“no place of printing mentioned.”