[DCRM-L] Superscript Letters in Collational Formulas (using Unicode)

[Erin Blake]

At the Folger, we do use Unicode superscripts and subscripts in our online catalog. See https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Unicode_characters_for_cataloging.

Unicode can also be used when cataloging in OCLC Connexion’s shared environment (see https://help.oclc.org/Metadata_Services/Connexion/Connexion_client/International_cataloging for examples).

Unfortunately, Unicode superscripts 1, 2, and 3 are in a different block from the other digits, and some computer fonts display them with different alignments and weights. This wasn’t a problem with our previous online catalog, but is with our current catalog. Here’s a screenshot for example:

[cid:image001.png at 01DB8901.13398170]

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicode_subscripts_and_superscripts.

Best,

Erin

_______________________________
Erin Blake, PhD | she/her | Senior Cataloger | Folger Shakespeare Library | Washington, DC 20003 | eblake at folger.edu<mailto:eblake at folger.edu>
[Folger Shakespeare Library logo]



From: DCRM-L <dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu> On Behalf Of Duhr, Stefan via DCRM-L
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 3:52 AM
To: DCRM Users' Group <dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu>
Cc: Duhr, Stefan <Stefan.Duhr at sbb.spk-berlin.de>
Subject: [DCRM-L] Superscript Letters in Collational Formulas (using Unicode)

Dear Sir or Madam,

As a member of the committee responsible for the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), the “Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alte Drucke beim Standardisierungsauschuss der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek<https://wiki.dnb.de/display/STAC/AG+Alte+Drucke>”, I have the following question for you:

In the German union database K10plus<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K10plus>, superscript and subscript numbers and letters that can be recorded using Unicode have recently been permitted. This now enables us to specify these when writing collation formulas as part of the cataloging of Early Printed Books. There should be no problems when exchanging data.
We do not see any problems with superscript and subscript numbers in this regard. However, there is still some doubt about superscript letters, as these originate from different Unicode blocks* and are not represented uniformly in our union catalog.
A German-language overview of the numbers and letters to be used can be found here: https://verbundwiki.gbv.de/download/attachments/201228317/Signaturformeln_Unicode.pdf.

Our question is whether you in English-speaking countries also use Unicode when entering collational formulas – especially for superscript letters – or whether you use a different character set (which one?).
As we have been able to ascertain, the use of superscript letters in collational formulas is permitted according to the DCRM (see 6.215 — Note on extent of manifestation - DCRM (RDA Edition)<https://bsc.rbms.info/DCRMR/phys-desc/Note-on-extent-of-manifestation/#621544-signatures> under 6.215.44.3).

With kind regards
p.p. Stefan Duhr

*) ᵖ and ᵛ => "Phonetic Extensions", ᶜ => "Phonetic Extensions Supplement", ʰ and ʳ => "Spacing Modifier Letters" and ⁱ => "Superscripts and Subscripts"
___________________________________________________
Stefan Duhr, M.A.
Abteilung Handschriften und Historische Drucke | Department of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz | Berlin State Library - Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation
Unter den Linden 8
10117 Berlin

+49 30 266-43 6688
stefan.duhr at sbb.spk-berlin.de<mailto:stefan.duhr at sbb.spk-berlin.de>
https://staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/die-staatsbibliothek/abteilungen/handschriften-und-historische-drucke
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