hand lettern.
/ˈhan(d) ˌlɛtə/, U.S. /ˈhæn(d) ˌlɛdər/ A tool consisting of a letter of the alphabet made of brass and fixed in a handle, used in impressing lettering on a book cover by hand.
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society > communication > printing > types, blocks, or plates > relating to type > [noun] > for title of book
title letter1755
hand letter1862
brass1930
society > communication > book > manufacture or production of books > book-binding > bookbinding equipment > [noun] > tools
plough1580
fillet1641
roll1656
paper-folder1781
stamp1811
backing-hammer1818
bookstamp1819
lettering tool1833
book cutter1850
roller1852
hand letter1862
pallet1875
wagon1875
stop1880
jigger1883
gouge1885
guinea-edge1890
marbler1890
panel stamp1893
saddle stitcher1944
1862 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 1 Aug. 1/3 (advt.) Set of bookbinders' tools..three sets of brass hand letters.
1880 J. W. Zaehnsdorf Art of Bookbinding xxii. 108 In England it is the custom to letter books with hand letters, each letter being separate and fixed in a handle.
1892 Brit. Bookmaker 5 27/2 Do you advise the giving up of guiding lines drawn through the gold when lettering a book with hand letters?
1967 J. Corderoy Bookbinding for Beginners vii. 56 The cost of brass hand-letters is high.
2006 M. M. Foot Bookbinders at Work iv. 113 Prediger also has brass hand letters... The handles for these and other hand-finishing tools cost 24 kr. per hundred.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1862