Cataloguig remarks

Main page

Cataloguing remarks are actually not notes, in the sense that they are not visible for the end user of the database. Their purpose is to aid the cataloguer in their work by offering further clarifications of the bibliographical description for special situations, copy-specific difficulties, and so on.

In principle, the cataloguer can put all of their comments or remarks there. They can comment on, explain, express doubt or offer suggestions for later cataloguers. Elements that are too dubious to immediately record in the bibliographical description can temporarily be noted in this field. At a later stage, when the information is confirmed it can receive a place in the actual description or of it is deemed irrelevant or incorrect it can be deleted altogether.

The following elements often occur in this field:

1. Mistakes in the signatures. These mistakes are usually mentioned as follows:

   f. B2 as 'B5'
   

   f. B2 sign. as 'B5'
   

   f. B2 incorrectly signed as 'B5'

2. Mistakes in the pagination. These are usually mentioned as follows:

   p. 53 as '35'

3. Negative results of mentions in secondary literature. These are usually mentioned as follows:

   not in [[bcni]]
   not in [[backer]] II, VII

   The language-independent code for the references is used as much as possible. Since these negative results are not always watertight (it is possible to have overlooked an index, a reference or an addition), they are never recorded in the bibliographical note field.
4. Comments on the quire structure. Sometimes the quire structure is much more complex in reality than it is possible to deduce from the collation formula. The situation in those cases can then be further explained in a cataloguing remark. If there are doubts about the actual situation, these, as well as suggestions, may be added here so that they can be further explored in the description of later additional copies.
5. Additional clarification for information found in the document or an external source. The exact location where it was found, if it not as obvious, can be given in a cataloguing remark making it easier for later cataloguers to quickly find the information.
6. Elements from the approbation or the privilege in undated works that might help in refining the date. The name of a censor and his function-indication, for example, could be recorded here.
7. Comments on typographical characteristics. For example, the location of a printer's device if this is not the title page, or the location of a specific typeface such as civilité may be recorded here.

Nevertheless, these cataloguing remarks must be considered a bonus.