My best guess as to the "B" on the red/black NYT boxes is that it refers to
the fact that the film images are in the B format.  In the early days, the
NYT was photographed in positions A and B.  The A format permits lower
reduction ratios and therefore better image quality.

For those who forgot about formats...In the A format, the bottom edge of the
page is perpendicular to the edge of the film.  In the B format, the bottom
edge of the page is parallel to the edge of the film.

The B format permits higher packing density and therefore uses less film.

Preservation microfilming of newspapers (especially older issues) should
take place in the 1A format at a reduction ratio of 1:16 or so.

Regards,

Robert Mottice
<robert.mottice@IL.PROQUEST.COM>