[DCRM-L] Formula for alternating gathering sizes

[Young, Stephen]

John,

I don't have access to official documentation for this, but I've always separated them with a slash:  A-D8/4.

Stephen R. Young
Rare Book Catalog Librarian
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

________________________________
From: DCRM-L <dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu> on behalf of JOHN LANCASTER <jjlancaster at me.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 2:41 PM
To: DCRM Revision List <dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu>
Subject: [DCRM-L] Formula for alternating gathering sizes

I’d be grateful for information on any published discussion of the notation for gatherings that alternate sizes in a regular pattern, recorded as “[superscript]x.y” (e.g. ⁸.⁴; sorry, I don’t find a superscript dot).

I’ve looked quickly at Bowers and Gaskell, but found nothing.

The inquiry that spurred this question has to do with a particular work, variously described as:

A-X⁸.⁴ Y⁶

and

A-V⁸.⁴ X⁸ Y⁶.

where X falls within the sequence, but one bibliographer wants to reserve the “8.4” designation for complete groups of two, while the other believes the “8.4” designation should include all gatherings that fit the pattern.  (I was taught, and continue to agree with, the latter approach.)

Thanks for any citations, as well as any opinions from those who’ve considered the issue.

John Lancaster
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