One of the changes from BF 2011, BF 2016 §2.7.1f now directs us to §1.11.6 for guidelines on formatting pages with no print page numbers [actual or implied]. We are now directed to place a row of hyphens across the width of the page. Does this indicator need to be placed on the first preliminary page, or is the beginning of print front matter inherently assumed by it being the first “p” page?
No, you do not need to place this indicator line on the first preliminary page. You are correct in your statement that it is inherently assumed to be the first page.