[DCRM-L] Collation conundrum

[Lenore Rouse]

Thanks, Richard - I'm convinced.  [B] it will be!  Correction: "blank 
half title" should only be used on Twitter.
all best,
Lenore


On 11/20/2012 1:22 PM, Noble, Richard wrote:
> The problem with A^8 (A8 + chi 1.2) is that it can only be construed as an
> alternate and incorrect* formulation for A^8 [B]^2. That is, of course, a
> perfectly possible composition for a copy in which the conjugate blank leaf
> is not "wrapped back", and if that were the only copy one had seen there
> would be no reason to formulate ideal copy otherwise.
>
> This is an instance of a hard case making dicey law, since the use of the
> outer fold as a self wrapper is essentially a binding decision. In the end A^8
> [B]^2 may be the best description, with a note to the effect that blank B2
> is usually, or in all known cases (if you have evidence that "thick"),
> wrapped back to form a front cover; it can't be presented as representing
> ideal copy. "Blank half title" is the sort of pawky witticism that could be
> expected from us bibliographer types, but it cannot be admitted to the
> canon.
>
> *On two counts: the position of B1 is unambiguous, and it is incorrect not
> to infer its signature; also, since we are talking about a bifolium, it is,
> if not wrapped back, simply an adjacent normal 2-leaf gathering, for which
> the "+" insert notation is inappropriate.
>
> RICHARD NOBLE : RARE BOOKS CATALOGER : JOHN HAY LIBRARY : BROWN UNIVERSITY
> PROVIDENCE, RI 02912 : 401-863-1187/FAX 863-3384 : RICHARD_NOBLE at BROWN.EDU
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 12:44 PM, Lenore Rouse<rouse at cua.edu>  wrote:
>
>> Thank you to all who made suggestions on this. There seems little support
>> for the arranged marriage of PI and CHI. I had considered the  pi1 + insert
>> of A formulation but was hoping to avoid the complexity, though it seems
>> the likeliest solution.
>>
>> But having once been forced to THINK, I confess Richard's "made up"
>> solution points in another direction. It bothers me a bit to name the fold
>> [B] but calling it PI also seems problematic when it was really an
>> expedient afterthought to handle the last page of type, not meant to be a
>> real prelim. Could one follow the Bowers practice of "associating" the
>>   bifolium with leaf A8 while still calling it CHI, since the first leaf of
>> the bifolium merely continues the text of A8? Perhaps:
>> A^8 (A8 + chi 1.2)
>> and a note to explain that chi2 is the conjugate unprinted "half title".
>> If the note will not suffice could a cancellation/removal of chi2 work as
>> well as the cancellation of [B]2 or does it make most sense to cave and go
>> with [B]?
>>
>> Thanks again and best holiday wishes.
>> Lenore
>>
>>

-- 
Lenore Rouse, Curator
Rare Books and Special Collections
Catholic University of America
Room 214, Mullen Library
620 Michigan Avenue N.E.
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Phone: (202) 319-5090
Email: rouse at cua.edu
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