[DCRM-L] Colour content in RDA

[Noble, Richard]

The proposed definition of monochrome is absolutely non-standard. The
reference to greyscale ought to be taken more seriously. "Black and white"
is greyscale monochrome (black, white, and all shades between). An image in
shades of a single color *other* than black (*not* in addition to black) is
also monochrome. It *would* be useful to distinguish the two terms with
those meanings only, and to allow for the adjectival or parenthetical
specification of color for monochrome.

The underlying criterion, to my mind, has always been, "Can the color of
the image be accurately *reproduced* in greyscale, or is there color
content that will not reproduce in greyscale?" This is the question that we
must most often address when our clientele request reproductions, and ought
accordingly to be the fundamental distinction in treatment of color. It is
also important when considering alternate manifestations in which color may
or may not be reproduced as such. The reduction of monochrome elements to
greyscale is often encountered in cheap reprints and the like, which thus
misrepresent the original design.

OED:
A painting executed in different shades of one colour, with representation
of light and shade. Also in extended use.
*Ceramics*. A paint or glaze of a single colour; an article of pottery so
painted or glazed.
*Photogr.* A photograph or print in shades of one colour; a black and white
photograph or print.
Representation in (shades of) one colour; freq. in in monochrome: in
(shades of) one colour. Also: the state or quality of being in one colour;
an expanse of one colour.
*Photogr.*, *Film*, and *Television*. Reproduction in shades of one colour,
esp. grey; reproduction in black and white, esp. as opposed to colour. in
monochrome: in (shades of) one colour, in black and white.
Chiefly in *Art* and *Ceramics*. Having only one colour; executed in a
single colour. Also in extended use.
*Photogr.*, *Film*, and *Television*. Reproducing all colours as shades of
one colour, esp. grey; black and white, as opposed to colour. Also: of or
relating to such reproduction.

RICHARD NOBLE :: RARE MATERIALS CATALOGUER :: JOHN HAY LIBRARY
BROWN UNIVERSITY  ::  PROVIDENCE, R.I. 02912  ::  401-863-1187
<Richard_Noble at Br <RICHARD_NOBLE at BROWN.EDU>own.edu>
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