Gutenberg's folio sheets have one watermark (bull's head, grapes, or trotting ox) and no countermark, so one leaf from each conjugate pair will bear the watermark, usually quite visible in the intercolumnar margin, about halfway up. I got to raise my hand both times when we were asked who has leafed through a B42, and who would save his pet cat.
Eric White
Bridwell library
-----Original Message-----
From: exlibris@library.berkeley.edu
[mailto:exlibris@library.berkeley.edu]On Behalf Of s cheiner
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 4:07 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [EXLIBRIS:31786] Gutenberg (B42) watermarks
I am trying to find out if the paper stock used for
the Gutenberg (B42) Bible had a single watermark
(grapes or ox head or walking ox) on each royal folio
sheet, so only half the leaves that resulted from
folding had a watermark on it, or watermarks were
placed so each resulting leaf would have a watermark.
I did not find the answer to this in Janet Ing's
excellent book and I do not have my copy of Schwenke's
1923 study available.
Thank you.
C.J. Scheiner
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