[DCRM-L] "Bookseller" as Relator Term

[David Stumpp]

Hi Richard,

Here’s my two cents.

Before chiming in, I decided to double check the RBMS definitions at Jane’s link and was happy to learn that they pretty well reflected my usage. I’ve long applied this logic with early printed materials: Generally speaking, if the publication statement has “printed for”, I use the relator “publisher”. It’s most convenient, of course, when an imprint divulges that a work was printed at someone’s expense. I only use the relator “bookseller” in situations where the statement actually specifies in some way that named individual sold the book. Some booksellers were certainly publishers, as well, but not universally, I think, and this seemed the safest way to use the terms accurately.

Best wishes,
Dave

______________________________

David Stumpp
Antiquarian Cataloguer
The Library
Christ Church, Oxford, OX1 1DP
01865 276169



From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On Behalf Of Carpenter, Jane
Sent: 10 May 2016 20:58
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: Re: [DCRM-L] "Bookseller" as Relator Term

Richard,
Have you had a chance to review the comments on these terms posted on the Controlled Vocabularies blog?
http://rbms.info/cv-comments/2016/03/30/terms-printer-publisher-bookseller/

As noted on the blog, in response to a request from the DCRM task force, the Controlled Vocabularies Editorial Group reviewed the relationship designator terms printer, bookseller and publisher and developed definitions that can be used regardless of time period. Several people have already commented, but we would welcome additional discussion.  Would you post your comments to the blog?

With thanks, on behalf of the CV Editorial Group
Jane Carpenter
UCLA Library Special Collections
jfcarpenter at library.ucla.edu<mailto:jfcarpenter at library.ucla.edu>


From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On Behalf Of Noble, Richard
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2016 11:57 AM
To: DCRM Revision Group List <dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu>
Subject: [DCRM-L] "Bookseller" as Relator Term

What is the consensus regarding the application of the relator terms "Bookseller" and "publisher" in the context of a database that contains records for books old and new? "Bookseller" as the counterpart of what we now call a "publisher" is essentially an archaic usage; the role played by the e.g. c18 bookseller named in an imprint is really what we understand as a combination of publisher, distributor and retail bookseller (and possibly printer as well).

Our foremost concern in providing an access point for entities named in imprints and colophons is to identify "a person or organization responsible for publishing, releasing, or issuing a resource"--which is one of the parameters for identifying a manifestation. And that is the definition of the relator term "publisher", no matter how the person or body might have been styled when the resource was produced.

The relator term "Bookseller" designates one who "makes books and other bibliographic materials available for purchase". Vis-a vis manifestations, this is a secondary role of the bookseller. That is, "bookseller" as a relator term applies more to items than it does to manifestations.

I've seen many rb records that use "bookseller" for the bookseller as publisher, but I'm uncomfortable using a data point that relies on historical context, and specialized knowledge, for its correct interpretation.

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