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Descriptions should be kept brief, simple, and consistent in style. Descriptions should include information about: material(s), color, decoration of spine/covers/edges, approximate date, and whether or not it is a publisher's binding. Where appropriate, begin with the description "bound in" (e.g., "Bound in half blue calf and marbled boards"; "Bound in contemporary red morocco"). If an item is sewn, staple-bound, spiral-bound, laid in or otherwise not bound, a full sentence may be used (e.g., "Spiral-bound with flexible green boards"; "Spiral-bound in modern color-decorated boards"). Include descriptions for cases and containers. Publishers' bindings should also be described.
Standard terminology
original: | publisher's binding |
contemporary: | binding dates to near the time of publication |
later: | binding is not contemporary, but actual date is unclear |
modern: | do not use; instead, give the century, e.g. early 20th century; late 20th century |
recent: | do not use; instead, give the century, e.g. early 21st century |
paper covers: | refers to unbound covers to loosely wrap printed or unprinted book or pamphlet |
wrappers: | printed or illustrated paper or other flexible covers bound |
Houghton has traditionally used "half" for both quarter- and half-bindings; but as of 3/06 catalogers should describe quarter bindings as such.
Enter in a separate 563 field. Whenever possible, begin the note with "Bound in [binding description]".
Case/Container description
After the binding description, add a semi-colon and add a note about any enclosures, along with their sizes. These may have come with an item or provided locally. If the latter, chose one of the three options:
- If put in a prefab add "in prefab" + size
- If going into a CMI, add "in CMI case" (no need to add size)
- If going into a cloth case, add "in cloth case" + size
Examples
563 _ _ $$a Bound in contemporary red morocco over boards, stamped in gilt; edges gilt; in red cloth case, 27 cm. $$5 hou
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