G-10. Introduction to the Principles of Bibliographical Description - Advance Reading List

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  • Preliminary Advices

    A bibliographical description is a systematic report concerning a publication’s physical characteristics and the circumstances of its authorship, publication, and distribution. Typically, a basic bibliographical description (or formulary) consists of a statement regarding a publication’s format and collational formula, which describes the number of leaves per gathering, the manner in which gatherings are signed and the leaves paginated by the printer, and the order in which gatherings were intended to be bound. In a thorough description, the formulary is followed by descriptions of the book’s paper, typography, and letterpress contents; its plates, maps, or other inserted illustrative matter; and its binding (especially if executed by the publisher before sale to the public); and regulatory circumstances (e.g., licenses or privileges). A full description typically concludes with relevant details of the book’s authorship, publication, and distribution. Bibliographical descriptions are essential tools for enriching our understanding of how printed texts were produced, and for revealing the contributions of the anonymous workers responsible for their production.

    The course lectures and museum sessions introduce and discuss examples of type, paper, bindings, illustrations, best bibliographical practices, &c. The labs and practice sessions focus intensively on format and collation: here students learn how to analyze and describe the structure of a book following the formulary developed in chapters 5, 7, and 12 of Fredson Bowers’ Principles of Bibliographical Description. The preparatory reading is primarily intended to provide the background necessary for understanding what the formulary describes.

    Here (in boldface) is a sample basic bibliographical description of the sort students will be asked to prepare during description practice and lab sessions:

              Feijoó y Montenegro, Benito Gerónimo. Theatro crítico universal. Nueva impresion. Volume IV. Madrid: Imprenta Real, 1773.

              4°: a-b8 c4 A-2G8 [$4(-c3,4) signed]; 260 leaves, pp. [I-II] III-XL, 1-478 [479-480] [misprinting 155 as 551, 176 as 276, 272 as 172, and 394 as 294]

    Click here for more sample bibliographical descriptions.

  • Required Reading

    Please begin by reading this useful overview of the field and its practice:

    Belanger, Terry. “Descriptive bibliography,” in Book Collecting: A Modern Guide, ed. by Jean Peters. New York: R. R. Bowker Company, 1977, pp. 97–115.

    Then turn to the course’s two foundational texts:

    Bowers, Fredson. Principles of Bibliographical Description. Princeton, 1949; reprinted 1994 (with an introduction by G. Thomas Tanselle) by Oak Knoll Books.

    N.B. After being out of print for several years, Bowers is available once again from Oak Knoll for $39.95 + shipping.

    Begin by reading the Foreword, Tanselle’s introduction (if you have the Oak Knoll reprint), and Chapter 1. Turn next to Appendix I, then read Chapters 5, 7, and 12. These chapters are the basis for what we will be teaching you to do in this course. At first encounter they may prove hard to understand. Don’t despair: once you have an actual book in hand to describe, things become much clearer. Read as much of the rest of the book as you can, especially pp. 113­–123, and 255–268.

    Gaskell, Philip. A New Introduction to Bibliography. New York & Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1972, corrected 2nd printing, 1974; paperback edition, New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 1995. Use any printing except the 1st, uncorrected printing (1972).

    Foundational to all bibliographical description is a knowledge of the materials and technologies employed in manufacturing printed texts. Indeed, without this knowledge some parts of Bowers are virtually incomprehensible. Gaskell is the best single guide to the processes that produced the books we set ourselves to describe, but it can be a dense read. You may wish to read pp. 1–335 through quickly, then re-read the sections describing type, paper, and printing procedures of the hand- and machine-press periods. Key concepts from Gaskell will be reviewed at RBS during lectures and museums.

  • Required Viewing

    The Anatomy of a Book: I. Format in the Hand-Press Period. 1991. 30 minutes. Available on YouTube.

    An active demonstration of the basics of format and book structure which will help you picture what’s going on in Bowers and Gaskell.

    The video is supplemented by an optional study guide and set of facsimile practice sheets which can be purchased from RBS for $25 by emailing rbsprograms@virginia.edu. Please note: orders placed fewer than two weeks prior to the course may not arrive in time. Additionally, students located outside of the United States must contact RBS for international shipping rates before sending payment.

  • Recommended Reading

    The course places a heavy emphasis on terminology. For this reason, we recommend reading:

    Carter, John. ABC for Book Collectors. London: Hart-Davis, 1952. 9th edition, revised by Nicolas Barker & Simran Thadani. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 2016. Use any later edition. A PDF of the 8th edition (2004) is available free of charge.

    Two weeks prior to the course students will receive access to a PDF excerpt of the course workbook containing the sections most relevant for preparing basic bibliographical descriptions, including a helpful index to Bowers. If you have time, please try to review the PDF prior to arriving at RBS.

    If you are interested in the history of bibliography as a scholarly discipline, we recommend:

    Tanselle, G. Thomas. Bibliographical Analysis: A Historical Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.

  • FINAL NOTE:

    Proper preparation is essential for obtaining maximum benefit from the course, especially the lab sessions. Be sure to look carefully through Bowers and Gaskell before coming to Charlottesville. Books will be presented to you almost at once to establish their format and collation, and you’ll need to have some idea what that means; in that respect the video, optional facsimile practice sheets, and PDF workbook excerpt may be especially helpful. If your preparation time is limited, focus on the Belanger article, the video, and especially Bowers, while skimming Gaskell for a basic understanding of materials and technologies. If you find yourself with hardly any time to prepare, consider withdrawing from the course and reapplying next year.

    What to bring to class: If possible, please bring a copy of Bowers with you (or at least a copy of pp. 193–254, 269–284, 427–438, and 457–462), as it will prove indispensable during description practice and labs. It would be helpful, but not essential, to bring a copy of Gaskell with you. At RBS students will receive the course workbook and a second study guide to accompany the course museums. Note pads and pencils will also be provided (feel free to bring your own). There is no need to bring a laptop unless you wish to. RBS classrooms tend to be rather aggressively air conditioned, so a sweater may be useful. Please remember to leave Monday through Thursday evenings free for description practice.