dave@lsuc.UUCP (David Sherman) (08/06/85)
In many "old-style" siddurim, and in (it seems) most seforim printed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the word which begins a page is printed at the bottom of the previous page, offset somewhat, in small type. I'm curious as to where this custom began, and why it is (or was) done. I can think of several possible reasons: (1) to let the reader (particularly when davening) continue without interruption while his eyes move to the next page (2) to let the reader make sure he's on the right page when he moves his eyes and/or turns the page (3) as a guide to the binders after printing, so the pages are put in the right order (perhaps this began before pages were regularly numbered?) Anyone know? Any speculation? (Post to the net, don't mail me. It's about time we got some useful discussion going and stopped mudslinging.) Dave Sherman Toronto -- { ihnp4!utzoo pesnta utcs hcr decvax!utcsri } !lsuc!dave