A "signature" is a chunk of book pages -- I think 32 is the standard. X number of signatues = the complete book, unbound, depending on the total number of pages. In this case, 32x15 = 480 pages. This includes printed and blank pages.
In Olden Times, before ebooks, and before we figured out how to make machines that glued pages directly to the binding, the signatures were sewn in and you could see how many signatures were in the book by looking down at the top edge of a closed book and counting the threads.
In fact... *gets up to check* Hmm. It looks like the red leather (leather over board) Pilots Choice in the picture may have the signatures sewn in. Pretty piece of work.
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mmmag
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Date: 2011-04-24 03:04 pm (UTC)In Olden Times, before ebooks, and before we figured out how to make machines that glued pages directly to the binding, the signatures were sewn in and you could see how many signatures were in the book by looking down at the top edge of a closed book and counting the threads.
In fact... *gets up to check* Hmm. It looks like the red leather (leather over board) Pilots Choice in the picture may have the signatures sewn in. Pretty piece of work.