In analytical bibliography, what are 'countermarks' and where are they typically located?
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Correct answer: Smaller watermarks, often the papermaker's initials, opposite the main watermark on the sheet
A countermark is a secondary, usually smaller design or set of initials woven into a papermaking mold, positioned on the opposite side of the sheet from the main watermark. Introduced in the seventeenth century, countermarks provide extra data for tracking paper sources. They help bibliographers pinpoint the exact paper mill and production timeframe of a book's materials.
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