signature
1. A section or GATHERING (2) of a
book, either in the flat or folded state, to which
a SIGNATURE MARK
has been assigned. Technically, the sets of 4, 8,
16, 32, 64, or 128 printed pages. when folded,
constitute a "section," while a "signature" is
only the sequential mark of identification printed
on the initial page of the section; today,
however, little if any distinction is made between
the two expressions. The term is not altogether
synonymous with SHEET
(5) , because a sheet as printed may contain
more than one section (see: FOLDING ), and, in
the case of a half sheet, may constitute a section
of fewer pages than others in the same
publication. Thus books consist of many sections
but those sections may not consist of the same
number of leaves. 2. The name or initials, written
in a person's own hand, for the purpose of
authenticating a document. (69 , 140 , 189 , 287 )
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