From: George W Gerrity (g.gerrity@gwg-associates.com.au)
Date: Tue Oct 18 2005 - 05:09:51 CST
Anent the speculation on why differing ligature and abbreviation
forms were used in a single document, my suggestion is a shortage of
cast type and no punches or dies for the font in use.
The early printers didn't usually use different forms just for fun,
but rather by accident, ignorance (in the case of a non-Roman font),
or necessity. In any case, multiple forms were probably placed
jumbled together in the same sort box, and it would be difficult to
find a form in short supply. Later on, when a previous page had been
printed, it would be broken up, the type from it would be re-sorted,
and the compositor could pick up some additional pieces not available
when he started making up the current page.
George
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