Sender: Rare Books and Special Collections Forum <EXLIBRIS@RUTVM1.BITNET>
Just a small point that seems to be getting lost in all this discussion.
Many of our esteemed colleagues seem to be forgetting a major element
of human behavior: ritual conservatism. I think the facts suggest that
catchwords have been retained for a good portion of the history of
printing and even manuscripts merely because "that's the way you do it."
How many of our male participants wear neckties? How many females wear
high-heeled shoes? Do these serve any useful purpose? So likewise with
the catchwords, once the signature marks were invented.
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* Gary Lee Phillips <phillips@twain.notis.com> *
* Release Integration *
* NOTIS Systems Inc. (708) 866-0130 Voice *
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* It never rains without getting someone, *
* somewhere, all wet." *
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