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punctuation: No punctuation mark precedes this subfield ; it always begins with except for a decimal point before an arabic numeral.
This subfield is used to record both the extent of the item in hand and the physical shelf-space in linear feet that the item will occupy. In order to do both, two subfields are entered for each record. The first $$a records the number of physical volumes, leaves, pages, or items. The second $$a records
First $$a: This is a measurement of the linear feet of the item as it will sit on the shelf once it has been end-processed. Do not use subfield $$f ("type of unit"). Thus: "$$a 3 items" not "$$a 3 $$f items".
First It precedes the item-extent $$a with no punctuation. For items that consist of a few sheets, the measurement entered will depend on how they will be housed; check end-processing documentation for measurements of standard boxes, pre-fabs, and other containers. If necessary, estimate the approximate linear feet by measuring the width of the volume or height of the stack of leaves. Note: 1/4 inch is approximately .02 linear feet.
Second $$a: This is a measure of physical volumes, boxes, items, leaves, or pages, items, not folders or boxes. Descriptions of bindings and containers . In general, only leaves or pages of early manuscripts are counted; for most single-item manuscripts acquired by Houghton, enumeration is not necessary. If the binding and/or other physical features of a manuscript merits description, this should be entered in a 500 note. Do not add another $$a when entering multiple number sequences (e.g., "$$a 4 letters and 1 envelope" not "$$a 4 letters and $$a 1 envelope").
For bound items other than early manuscripts
examples:
300 __ $$a 1 linear foot $$a (1 box) [typical description for 1 Paige box]
300 __ $$a .3 linear feet $$a (1 box) [typical description for 1 Hollinger box]
300 __ $$a .04 linear feet $$a (1 volume) [typical description for 1 small pre-fab folder]
300 __ $$a .05 linear feet $$a (1 letter; 2 folded sheets)
In cases where a page count for a modern, bound manuscript is necessary or desirable, we use the style shown in the examples below. If the manuscript is already reasonably correctly foliated or paginated, use that number. Otherwise, if feasible, count the leaves disregarding blanks at front and back. Any large number of blank pages in the manuscript should be counted in the foliation but mentioned as blank in a 500/505 note. Do not use square brackets but rather express in words when numbered and unnumbered leaves are both counted.
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300 __ $$a 1 volume (10 items) [For example a volume of letters or tracts]
For unbound modern items (i.e., where the housing is a matter of end-processing only), other than early manuscripts, follow the examples below.
examples:
300 __ $$a 23 leaves [Loose sheets]300 __ $$a .04 linear feet $$a (1 folded sheet) [A a single folio]
300 __ $$a .1 linear feet $$a (12 leaves in 1 gathering) [Leaves leaves sewn or unsewn, with or without a paper cover]
300 __ $$a 3 leaves and 1 envelope [Single letter]300 __ $$a 2 items (3; .05 linear feet $$a (2 letters; 3, 8 unnumbered leaves) [Two letters. If more than here, two letters, ; count total number of leaves]
300 __ $$a .08 linear feet $$a (1 drawing)
For medieval and renaissance manuscripts, count all leaves or sheets before recording the extent. Do not rely upon any numeration present in a manuscript, whether original or added later. Supply any such collation in a 500 note. “Include in the extent original raised flyleaves, original flyleaves used as pastedowns or free-end endpapers, and blanks. Do not include in the total extent canceled leaves, or modern flyleaves and endpapers.” (AMRMM 5B2). The extent is reported using the following style:
examples:
300 __ $$a .2 linear feet $$a (54 leaves, bound) [Single single volume of 54 leaves bound in any style, e.g. contemporary or modern]
300 __ $$a .1 linear feet $$a (12 leaves, unbound) [12 loose leaves]
300 __ $$a .04 linear feet $$a (1 leaf) [For for a single, unfolded loose leaf]
300 __ $$a .08 linear feet $$a (1 bifolium) [For for a manuscript consisting of only two conjugate leaves. If the item is a set of folded leaves, do not describe it as 3 bifolia, rather describe as 6 leaves]
300 __ $$a .08 linear feet $$a (2 sheets) [Unbound unbound legal document consisting of 2 sheets; legal documents are described in terms of numbers of sheets]
300 __ $$a .3 linear feet $$a (4 items (; 8 sheets) [Several several unbound documents with multiple sheets total]
300 __ $$a .5 linear feet $$a (1 roll) [Manuscript manuscript roll. Note: ; we do not describe the extent of the constituent parts of the roll here but rather in a 500 note if possible/relevant]
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Second $$a: This is a measurement of the linear feet of the item as it will sit on the shelf once it has been end-processed. Linear feet is recorded in its own $$a within parentheses. It is preceded by the item-extent $$a with no punctuation between, except when a parenthetical note has been included in the first $$a, in which case it is preceded by the closed parenthesis. For items that consist of a few sheets, the measurement entered will depend on how they will be housed: if in a standard pre-fab then enter ".03 linear feet"; if in single folder in a box with other material, then enter ".02 linear fee". For all other items, estimate the approximate linear feet by measuring the width of the volume or height of the stack of leaves. Note: 1/4 inch is approximately .02 linear feet.
examples:
300 __ $$a 1 volume (23 leaves) $$a (.15 linear feet)
300 __ $$a 1 volume (63 pages) $$a (.2 linear feet)
300 __ $$a 1 volume (circa 300 leaves) $$a (.4 linear feet)
300 __ $$a 23 leaves $$a (.04 linear feet)
300 __ $$a 1 folded sheet $$a (.03 linear feet)
300 __ $$a 12 leaves in 1 gathering $$a (.02 linear feet)
300 __ $$a 54 leaves, bound $$a (.2 linear feet)
300 __ $$a 12 leaves, unbound $$a (.03 linear feet)
$$b Other physical details
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As with subfield $$a this subfield should not be used to describe the housing (case, box, etc.) in which the item is kept.
examples:
300 __ $$a .1 leaf linear feet $$a (.1 linear feetleaf) : $$b vellum
300 __ $$a 1 drawing $$a ( .04 linear feet $$a (1 drawing) : $$b on slate
The term “illustrations” should be used in the case of a manuscript in which pictures accompany and illustrate the text (in the fashion of a printed book); and also for a medieval illuminated manuscript where the illumination is actually pictorial. Do no use for head or tail pieces unless these illustrate the text on the page.
example:
300 __ $$a 1 volume (105 pages) $$a ( .2 linear feet $$a (1 volume) : $$b illustrations
If a single item manuscript includes a manuscript or printed map, it should be listed here.
example:
300 __ $$a .15 linear feet $$a (1 volume (, 12 leaves) $$a (.15 linear feet) : $$b maps
$$c Dimensions
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For both bound and unbound items, include the width in the measurement if it is less than half the height or greater than the height, width follows height in the measurement (i.e., height x width). If the manuscript is kept folded, add the dimensions when folded (AACR2, 4.5D1). For visual material and for some single leaves, give both height and width in centimeters. It may also be desirable to record the dimensions of the pictorial area. If there are items of different sizes, use the height or other dimensions of the largest one and add the words ‘or smaller’"or smaller".
Normally do not record the size of the housing (e.g., a case or pre-fab) of a manuscript here. Do this in a 500 note.
examples:
300 __ $$a 2 leaves $$a ( .1 linear feet $$a (2 leaves) : $$b illustrations ; $$c 20 x 35 cm, folded to 20 x 15 cm
300 __ $$a 56 leaves $$a ( .2 linear feet $$a (56 leaves) ; $$c 28 cm
These are the dimensions of the leaves, not of the housing. The latter example is a typescript (8½ x 11 inches). The pre-fab cases used at present are 30 centimeters tall (note: the measurement dividing folio from general material in terms of shelving is 29 centimeters, so typescripts will generally be fMS. For further information see information on 852.)
examples:
300 __ $$a 40 leaves, bound $$a (.2 linear feet) : $$b vellum, illustrations ; $$c 25 cm
300 __ $$a 1 drawing $$a (.04 linear feet) ; $$c image 16 x 15 cm [dimensions of the image, not the sheet]
300 __ $$a 6 items (.1 linear feet) ; $$c15 cm or smaller [height of the largest item]
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$$e Accompanying material
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This subfield is intended to describe accompanying material other than that listed in the subfield $$a. It is a loose field for single-item manuscripts, but can be useful. It can include a note about a seal accompanying a medieval document, or a photograph enclosed with a letter. Use this field for any envelopes accompanying letters.
examples:
300 __ $$a .2 linear feet $$a (40 leaves, bound $$a (.2 linear feet) : $$b vellum ; $$c 25 cm + $$e seal
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Though not required, this field can also include a parenthetical addition describing the extent or dimensions of the accompanying material.
examples:
300 __ $$a .2 linear feet $$a (1 volume (; 56 leaves) $$a (.2 linear feet) ; $$c 25 cm + $$e photograph (11 x 16 cm)
300 __ $$a .4 linear feet $$a (2 volumes (; 120, 134 leaves) $$a (.4 linear feet) ; $$c 28 cm or smaller + $$e letter (3 leaves, 14 cm)
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