[DCRM-L] B3: query for those experienced with books signed with Greek characters

[Joseph Ross]

Deborah,

I think we should keep the chart as is.  I don't have statistical information to determine whether lower case or upper case is more common in signatures, but if it is the alphabetic order that is the point of the chart, I think we should keep lower case letters.

 Numeric signatures in Greek manuscripts are either majuscule or minuscule letters, usually according to the script of the text, but they can be mixed in the text and in the signatures.  In printed texts, so far as I know, Greek numerals are given in minuscule letters with a mark resembling an acute accent to indicate that it is a numeral.  So, again, I think the lower case alphabet should be preferred to the upper case.

Joseph Ross
Rare Books Cataloger
University of Notre Dame


-----Original Message-----
From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On Behalf Of Deborah J. Leslie
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 1:53 PM
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: Re: [DCRM-L] B3: query for those experienced with books signed with Greek characters

Let us also keep in mind that the primary purpose of the chart is not for romanization, but to state the conventional signing pattern as the basis for condensed signature statements. Having roman equivalents is icing on the cake.

Providing another chart, or adding Greek caps to existing chart, would create logistical problems. If signing in Greek caps is unusual, then the cataloger can consult the romanization table. More cumbersome, I know. Now I'm asking if the current chart can hold us until DCRM(B) undergoes a major revision?   

-----Original Message-----
From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On Behalf Of Smith, Eileen
Sent: Monday, 17 October 2011 13:34
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: Re: [DCRM-L] B3: query for those experienced with books signed with Greek characters

The handful or two of books with Greek signatures that I've catalogued have all had lowercase characters, so while I believe it would be useful to add a chart for uppercase characters, I would not want it to replace the chart of lowercase ones.

Eileen L. Smith
Catalog Librarian, Rare Book Team
Yale University Library


> Randy Brandt added this query to the DCRM Editorial Guidelines:
>
> (B)7B9.9: RSB note: It would be nice to have a chart showing 
> upper-case letters; the only book I've ever cataloged with Greek 
> signatures had them in all caps; this chart of lower-case equivalents was not useful.
> Could the same be applied to 7B9.10?
>
>
>
> Manon, Erin and I discussed replacing the lowercase Greek characters 
> in the chart with Greek caps. Does Randy's experience coincide with 
> others'? Even if you've only cataloged one such book. Since Greek 
> numbers are formed from Greek alphabetic characters, it would be good 
> to have it confirmed that the book is signed with Greek alpha rather 
> than numeric characters.
>
>
>
> Deborah J. Leslie, M.A., M.L.S. | Head of Cataloging, Folger 
> Shakespeare Library
>
> djleslie at folger.edu <mailto:djleslie at folger.edu>  | 202.675-0369 | 
> www.folger.edu
>
>
>
>


--
Randal Brandt
The Bancroft Library
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu
rbrandt at library.berkeley.edu