Notes on DCRM(G) Version 4.2 Submitted for preliminary review November 24, 2009 This document contains draft text of Areas 0 through 8 of DCRM(G). In other words, draft of all body text. Preface, introduction, appendices, glossary, table of contents, etc. still to come. PLEASE NOTE: this is still a draft! Many points are still being discussed amongst the editors, but we would welcome others’ input. I’m sure there are also changes submitted by the editors that haven’t yet made it into the draft. Editorial conventions to note (will be removed in final version): [B] indicates examples carried over from DCRM(B) for which we have not yet found picture-cataloging equivalents; they were left in as a reminder of the kind of thing we’re looking for (let us know if you find any) [GM] indicates examples carried over from Graphic Materials and not yet verified as existing in the real world. endnotes are used for tracking examples found. Whenever possible, a link to a digital image is included. These endnotes will be deleted in the final text. certain sections undoubtedly still contain wording from DCRM(B) that won’t work for pictures, so please let us know where they are we know the curly quotes inside example text still need changing to straight quotes Some major changes from Graphic Materials (the existing standard for cataloging pictures in libraries): concept of the “perfect copy” (for shared cataloging environment) emphasis on transcription (e.g. severely abbreviated titles get transcribed as-is, with provision for additional title access) inclusion of ISBD’s “edition area” as the place to record the state of a print includes born-digital images Appendix H will cover provide guidance for “cataloging portfolios, albums, books of plates, etc. that have conventional title pages as graphic material. Those seeking a full treatment of title pages as the chief source of information should refer to Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Material (Books).” Also planning an appendix for deciphering common abbreviations like del., sc., pinx., and so on. Some major changes from DCRM(B), besides the obvious fact that it covers pictures: covers published and unpublished material in the same text covers collections within the body of the text (as Graphic Materials did) but will also have an appendix bringing just the collection-specific instructions into one place (wording on this is in flux: sometimes “multipart resources” sometimes “collections”) de-emphasizes noting the order of transcribed information, since there is no “normal” order for it on the item, like there is for a title page Please send comments to Erin Blake at [email protected] For more information, including changes-tracked versions, see the DCRM(G) wiki at http://dcrmg.pbworks.com Some of the things DCRM(G) Editors are still working on 0B2.2. Imperfections Rephrase to clarify that this doesn’t apply to original works, only to works issued as multiples. If it’s an original, unique work, describe what you have in hand. 0G1.2. Symbols, etc. Can we get a special character to reproduce “ye” as what looks like an “e” above a “y”? Using a superscript “e” doesn’t really reproduce what’s usually seen, and it’s important to have an example because writing “ye” instead of “[the]” as called for in DCRM is incredibly common. 1B9.2. Devised titles Add more examples and guidance for devising titles for different sorts of images, e.g. portraits, views, buildings, comic strips (there’s significant demand for this in the cataloging community). 1B11. Title proper with supplementary or section designation or title Rephrase to clearly cover $a $p (overall title + part title) examples, which are common in graphic materials 1D. Other title information Need to discuss de-emphasizing“other title” designation for visual materials. We seem to have more $a $p situations. And visual material practice in reference works is usually to transcribe the punctuation from the piece; using multiple colons seems odd. Need to simplify this. Since there isn’t an expected order of verbal information on pictures, it’s a lot of complicated text that could be replaced by examples illustrating the main point, i.e., “Transcribe other title information in the order indicated by the sequence or layout of the words” That is, need to revisit decision from March 2009 to keep the instructions parallel to book cataloging: goal in March was to keep instructions parallel to B in order to reassure catalogers that title-like information can go after the statement of responsibility if that’s what makes sense given the layout on the material. However, the instructions go into details that are seldom relevant in picture cataloging. Also, picture catalogers need reassurance that it’s okay to stop transcribing after a certain point: not everything written on the face of the picture is “other title information.” 2. Edition Area (State Area) Would a parenthetical qualifier be okay for the area name? Or, is any change to the name not allowed, for consistency with ISBD area designations? The fundamental vocabularly problem is a serious issue for graphic materials catalogers: “edition” means the total number of prints authorized by the artist for sale. 2B4. Insufficiently descriptive statements of state Examples are made-up, and might not exist anywhere in the picture world. If examples can’t be found, omit the instruction. 4A6.1. Statements relating to publication, distribution, etc., only Want to reduce the number of 18th-century examples here. 4C4.2. If the identification of the publisher, distributor, etc., is based on a device... Drop, because just isn’t seen much, if at all, in graphic materials? Can look for photographic studio emblems on card mounts that might work. 4D1.3. Transcribe words and phrases such as “in the year” and “anno” as part of this element.... Need to change wording to include examples of place and date included on non-printed material, like drawings. 4G. Date of manufacture Will be tricky to find example where date of printing or manufacture is different and transcribable, not just different based on evidence like a dated watermark. 7B5.1. Parallel titles. Make notes on parallel titles appearing on the material that have not been transcribed in the body of the description. Change to “If considered important?”Or re-word to acknowledge that it’s often a matter of opinion what’s other title information, and what’s just text on the image? 7B6.1. Statement of responsibility in source other than front of material. Expand to always give source of s.o.r.? Or to always give it if it’s unusual (e.g. Signed on tree 'DP 1661' example in BM)? 0. GENERAL RULES Contents: 0A. Scope 0B. The basic description 0C. Chief source of information 0D. Prescribed sources of information 0E. Prescribed punctuation 0F. Language and script of the description 0G. Transcription 0A. Scope These rules provide instructions for cataloging graphic materials, other than maps, whose rarity, value, or interest (i.e., their continuing or potential aesthetic or documentary value) make special description necessary or desirable. They cover instructions for the descriptive areas in bibliographic records only (see also introductory sections I‐II). Specifically, they may apply to: Single two dimensional pictorial works. Typical examples include prints, posters, drawings, paintings, photographic prints, negatives, transparencies, and slides. Resources may be unpublished (though they may exist in multiple copies) or published. Illustrations in published books, magazines, etc. Groups of two dimensional pictorial works, published and unpublished. These groups include albums, portfolios, multipart resources, and collections assembled prior to acquisition (e.g. by artist or collector), or locally for cataloging purposes. Born‐digital images such as digital camera photography and computer‐ generated architectural renderings 0B. The basic description 0B1. Required elements The description must always include the following elements, regardless of the completeness of the information available: Title proper (1B) Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (Graphics) DRAFT v.4.2 25 General Rules Date of creation or publication (4D) Extent (5B) Size and format (5D) Also include other elements of description as set out in the following rules, if available and appropriate to the chosen level of description. 0B2. Basis of the description 0B2.1. General rule. Base the description on the material in hand. 0B2.2. Imperfections. If describing material known to be imperfect, and details of a perfect (or more perfect) example can be determined, base the description on the perfect example. Use square brackets only where required for description of the perfect example. In such cases, the details may be determined by examining additional examples or by referring to reliable descriptions in other sources. As appropriate, cite the source used for the description in a note (see 7B3, 7B12). Make a local note describing the imperfection of the material in hand (see 7A4.1). If no reliable evidence of the details of a perfect example is available, describe the material as it is. Make a general note indicating that the description is based on an imperfect example. See also 0G6.3. 0C. Chief source of information The chief source of information is text provided by the creator or creating body on or with the material. Possible sources include the front and back of the image, the container, digitally embedded metadata, and caption lists. When no suitable creator‐supplied text is present, information is supplied in square brackets as necessary. For material with a title page, see Appendix H. 0D. Prescribed sources of information The prescribed source(s) of information for each area of the description is set out in preferred order below. Do not transcribe any information not present in a prescribed source for that area.