Catalogue of English Broadsides 1505-1897

xiv Jnfro^ucfton.
wider range has been taken by including prints of two pages. If this
had not been done there would have arisen awkward points for settle¬
ment, as, for instance, where a printed docket is on the second page
of the sheet, or where the sheet was printed on one side only, but on
the second and third pages, or again, when the same broadside ap¬
peared in two editions, one printed only on one side of the paper
and the other perhaps in larger type filling both sides. In fact, by
this extension (if the use of such a term may be allowed) of the
definition broadside or broadsheet, we obtain a much more satis¬
factory line of demarcation, beyond which lie the tracts. As the
latter must have at least two leaves, or three printed pages, counting
from the title-page onwards, there need be no mixing up of them
with their more ephemeral neighbours, the broadsides. It is possible
that some of the prints included in this collection may have had more
than two pages when issued, but their presence must be apologised
for as unintentional—in one case, at least, the fact was not discovered
until too late.
The title-heading and imprint have almost invariably been printed
exactly as in the original. Peculiarities of typography have been
reproduced as far as possible, but beyond the use of capitals at the
beginning of words where they occur, or of words which are printed
entirely in capitals in the originals, no attempt has been made to re¬
produce the form or size of letter. To have introduced italics and
several sizes of roman capitals would have certainly approached the
ideal, but it is doubtful if the increased expenditure of time and
money would have been justifiable. Where there was no title-
heading proper, the opening words have been quoted, at sufficient
length to ensure identification. Where no imprint is given, the prob¬
able place of printing and date have been placed within square
brackets.