The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 26, July 1, 2007, Article 14

MORE ON THE TYPOGRAPHIC SYMBOL FOR COIN REVERSE

Three weeks ago week Ed Snible asked: "Perhaps E-Sylum readers can
help me locate the name and origin of a typographic symbol meaning
'coin reverse'. The symbol usually looks like mismatched parenthesis:
)("

Harry Waterson writes: "The opposing parenthesis is also used in the
film industry. Directors and editors mark their scripts with a slightly
overlapping reverse parentheses to indicate a dissolve. I have always
found that to be a very appropriate symbol to indicate a cross fade
from one picture to another. Maybe there is some linkage here with
the concept of going from an obverse to a reverse."

[The Internet is a wondrous place, with experts on just about any
topic within easy reach.  But whether they will respond to you is
always a question mark.  In a fit of curiosity a couple weeks ago
I fired off email queries to the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany,
The Type Museum here in London, the International Printing Museum
near Los Angeles, the Museum of Printing in North Andover, MA and the
JAARS Museum of the Alphabet in Waxhaw, NC.   Only one replied, but
was unable to help.  Duncan Avery of the Type Museum suggested the
St. Brides Printing Library, also in London.  I haven't had time to
call (during the day work has a pesky habit of getting in the way
of numismatic fun).  But today I dashed off an email.  Like any
library or archive, one can't expect the staff to do one's work for
you, but it's worth a try to at least see if anyone can tell us
where to look for an answer. -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum