291

PAINTER

GN NNER

Sign Punctuation.

The following samples of Signs will be found convenient by Sign Writers as showing correct punctuation.

BANK.

POST-OFFICE.

JOHN SMITH.

JOHN HENRY SMITH.

J. H. SMITH.

JOHN H. SMITH.

CHARLES SMITH. HENRY JONES.

C. SMITH & H. JONES.

SMITH & JONES.

The period () is used at the end of every sentence, even if it be but one word; as, Bank. Merchant Tailor. John Smith. William Jones, Dealer in Hats, Caps and Furs. The period is also used to show the omission of letters, at the last of a name or word, called abbreviation; as Co. for Company; H. J. Smith for Henry James Smith. In the abbreviation of Chas., Wm., Thos., Jas., Robt., Bros., and Saml., while the rule is to use the apostrophe, it is customary to use the period.

The comma (,) is used, in sign painting, to show the omission of words. This is shown

in the following sentences:

Brown and West and Co. are Dealers in Paints and Oils and Glass, and so forth.

To avoid repeating the and we use the comma, thus:

Brown, West & Co., Dealers in Paints, Oils, Glass, &c.

The apostrophe (') is used to show the omission of letters, in the beginning or middle of a word, thus: 't is for it is; 't were for it were;

'73 for 1873; comp'y for company; pack'g for packing; d's for days; m's for months; y's for years; gen'l ag't for general agent, etc.

The apostrophe is also used to show the possessive, thus: Brown's Bank. If the owner's name terminates with an 8, the apostrophe follows the 8; as, Wells' Bank, Briggs' Store. If two or more persons are spoken of, in the possessive, the apostrophe follows the s; as, Ladies' Entrance; Gents' Parlor; Tomlinson Brothers' Bank. If, however, the person's name takes the character of an adjective, describing the article, no apostrophe is required; as, Briggs House; Merchants Bank.

This character (f) stands for and, and came originally from Et., Etc. in script, the Latin abbreviation for et cetera—" and the rest." The first is used in connecting firm names, and the other at the end to avoid details. Thus, Smith & Brown; or Smith, Brown & Co., Dealers in Groceries, Provisions, &c.

Where the placing of a period or other mark, after a letter or figure, would decidedly injure the appearance of the same, good taste may suggest that such mark be omitted. See Nos. 44 and 42, page 293.

For other marks in punctuation, see page 52.

A light faced letter is used in the following advertisements, to Illustrate the punctuation conspicuously.

NORTH AMERICA

FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY,

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

S. & J.

EDITOR.

EDITOR'S ROOM.

SUPT'S OFFICE.

LADIES' PARLOR.

TREASURER'S OFFICE.

DRY GOODS.

MERCHANT TAILOR.

JONES SCHOOL.

BRIGGS HOUSE.

METROPOLITAN HOTEL.

JONES' STORE.

FRESH AND SALT MEATS.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

PROF. A. B. COOK.

DR. HENRY WING.

SAML. H. SMITH, M.D.