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From: norman@d.cs.okstate.edu (Norman Graham)
Newsgroups: comp.fonts
Subject: The use of long s in modern English typesetting
Message-ID: <1991Jun27.161019.5836@d.cs.okstate.edu>
Date: 27 Jun 91 16:10:19 GMT
Sender: norman@d.cs.okstate.edu (Norman Graham)
Organization: Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
Lines: 22

I recently purchased Adobe Caslon and its expert set. I'm very happy with
the face, but I don't know when to use the long s and its ligatures (ss, sh,
si, sl, and st). The sample copy in the Adobe Caslon book provides no clues
for the proper use of long s in modern English copy; the typesetter seems to
use long and short s as though they are equivalent characters. For example,
in one sentence, 'circumstance' has two spellings, one with a short st
ligature and one with a long st ligature.

I hope someone on the net will take the time to explain long s usage to me.
I promise to post a summary of the responses.

Overall, I find sample copy difficult to read. The roman long s looks too
much like an 'f' to my eyes. I suspect most readers will agree. Is it 
possible to make long s part of our culture's visual vocabulary again?

Yours,
Norm
-- 
Norman Graham

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