[DCRM-L] Fingerprint

[Noble, Richard]

Of the two systems of fingerprints, the STCN is much better at reflecting
line-for-line reprints--that is, one edition set as identically *as
possible* from another, but with a level of attention to detail that would
not include forcing a signature to appear under exactly the same types in
the last line. Neither it, nor the Fingerprints--Empreintes--Impronte
system can differentiate issues of the same edition, and the latter cannot
even differentiate accurately set line-for-line reprints, since it depends
on the occurrence of types at the ends or beginnings of given lines. That
is to say: as a *fingerprint* the STCN method is far superior for books
with signatures--and the principles of composition are much easier to
understand.

The STCN is actually an instance of a method of detection that I was taught
in the 1970s, which might require recording the position of *every*
signature; useful in the days when comparing large numbers of copies might
otherwise involve a trunkful of photocopies, if photocopies could actually
be obtained.

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>


On Thu, Apr 11, 2019 at 10:04 AM Robert Steele <rosteele at law.gwu.edu> wrote:

> The definition from ISBD(A), draft 2006 revision, page 4:
>
> A group of characters derived from a publication with the object of identifying
> the edition uniquely.
>
> A fuller description appears on page 88, with references to French and
> Dutch versions of the formula (except that the Dutch version is a broken
> link):
>
> The fingerprint consists of a number of characters drawn from a number of
> uniform places in the text of the publication, followed by a number
> indicating the source of one or more of the characters and/or a letter indicating
> the direction of the chain-lines and/or the date as it appears in the
> publication, etc., area.
>
> Personally, I prefer the second version, and I'm not sure RDA's
> "manifestation" or ISBD's "edition" is completely accurate, since a
> fingerprint can help identify sub-manifestations (sub-editions) such as
> issue or state.
>
> http://www.ibmi.it/manuali/ISBD(A)_February2006.pdf
>
> Robert Steele
> Cataloging Librarian
> Jacob Burns Law Library
> George Washington University
>
> On Wed, Apr 10, 2019 at 6:27 PM Gemberling, Ted P <tgemberl at uab.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> Bob,
>>
>> I’ve noticed this term “fingerprint” sometimes occurs in German
>> cataloging records. Is that where the concept came from? I have never
>> really identified what it meant there, though it struck me as interesting.
>> Obviously an English term.
>>
>>
>>
>> Here’s an example from 2019: OCLC #1085880235 (“Fingerprint nach Ex. der
>> UB Frankfurt.” I’m assuming that means it’s for a digitalized version of a
>> copy at the university library in Frankfurt.)
>>
>>
>>
>> Here’s one from 1971: OCLC #251887176
>>
>>
>>
>> Ted Gemberling
>>
>> UAB Lister Hill Library
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* DCRM-L <dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu> *On Behalf Of *Robert Maxwell
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 10, 2019 4:34 PM
>> *To:* DCRM Revision Group List (dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu) <dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu>
>> *Subject:* [DCRM-L] Fingerprint
>>
>>
>>
>> I’m part of an ALA group examining and commenting on the beta RDA
>> toolkit. This upcoming version of RDA introduces the concept fingerprint (I
>> don’t believe it’s been there before), with the following definition:
>>
>>
>>
>> An identifier for manifestation that consists of a group of characters
>> from specified locations in a manifestation combined with a date of
>> publication or other element.
>>
>>
>> https://beta.rdatoolkit.org/RDA.Web/Content?externalId=en-US_ala-4267b9ea-5015-36eb-b56a-c66f4b104f6f#section_rdaId_c296f014-6db4-4509-9508-2e300c502751
>>
>>
>>
>> First, do you think this is an accurate and adequate definition?
>> Additionally, if you have a chance, I’d be interested if you have any
>> comments on the guidelines (beyond the definition) for fingerprint in the
>> beta version (link above [you may need to log into your RDA account], but
>> also search ”fingerprint” in the search box to find all mentions of the
>> term in the beta RDA).
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>>
>> Robert L. Maxwell
>> Ancient Languages and Special Collections Librarian
>> 6728 Harold B. Lee Library
>> Brigham Young University
>> Provo, UT 84602
>> (801)422-5568
>>
>>
>>
>
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