Stuk 24 - Postcard from Edward Heawood to R. B. McKerrow

Royal Geographical Society, Kensington Gore, S.W.7.—Corrects his previous assertion about the format of an edition of Arrian.

—————

Transcript

Royal Geographical Society, Kensington Gore, S.W.7
Mar. 2, 1928

I was wrong in saying that even if the paper used for the Arrian was a larger size cut down the chain-lines would still be horizontal in the sheet. Of course if the paper were so much larger that half-sheets cut down still further to fit the folio shape would still be large enough, the existing facts could be explained on the assumption of chain-lines normally placed. But the position of the water-mark would then be abnormal unless the original sheets were at least 30 ins. long, the centre of the mark being 7½" from one end as trimmed. In another case (certain sheets in Churchill’s voyages 3rd. edn. 1744) they would have had to lose about ⅓ of the original length if the chain-lines were normal. Perhaps this might be explained by supposing the right size had fallen short, or a bale had been damaged before use. But such cases would introduce a disturbing element of uncertainty if at all frequent.

Yrs. v. truly
E. Heawood

[Direction:] R. B. McKerrow Esq. | Enderley | Little Kingshill | Great Missenden | Bucks

—————

Postmarked at S. Kensington, S.W.7, at 5.30 p.m. on 2 March 1928.