Fig. 8
ROMAN LETTERING
(Upper Case or Capitals)
Note.—The use of the terms "upper case" (capital letters) and "lower case" (small letters) originated with the printer, whose cases of type are arranged with the capitals above the cases containing the small letters.
We will study these letters not in their alphabetical order, but in their logical order according to the principles involved.
To enable us to observe the formation of each letter more conveniently we will study them in outline. The complete letter is usually filled in solid.
The height of the letter is divided into seven equal parts, one of these parts being taken as the unit of measure. (For a special scale giving these divisions, called the "Topographers' Scale," see page 43.) The thickness of the "I" and of the heavy straight strokes of the other letters is one unit. We will adopt "U" as the abbreviation of the unit of measure. The dimensions for the "I" are indicated in the accompanying sketch (figure 8).
The curve at C is a quarter of a circle with a radius of one-half a unit. That is, if the arc were continuous it would form a perfect circle and would be one unit in diameter, the center of the circle being one-half unit from the stem and the top line of the letter. This arc is called the "grace curve" as its purpose is to give grace to the letter.
Letters must, of course, be laid out in pencil before being inked. The pencil lines should be light and fine, mace with a slender, sharp point. Do not bear on the pencil, as it makes it difficult to ink in and in case the position or a part of the letter is altered the original lines would be in evidence as grooves in the paper. A comparatively hard pencil should be used, depending on the nature of the surface of the paper. The finer and more clear cut the pencil lines are, the easier it is to ink in neatly and correctly.
RULE 3. Be sure the letter is correct in pencil before it is inked— leaving nothing to be corrected while inking.
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