Hello Amber, we have an extensive collection of manuscripts that
we catalog using the object module. We create a parent record for the entire
book, and child records for each page of interest (not all pages are cataloged
or imaged) and a child record for the binding.
See a sample here on our online Work of Art site -- http://art.thewalters.org/viewwoa.aspx?id=76612
The landing page is the main book record, and if you navigate to
Related Items you can see Folio Records and a Binding Record.
To aid us in keeping all this straight, here is what our Style
Guide for Catalouging Manuscripts says about Medium –
2.2.1 MEDIUM (free-text)
The medium(s) and technique(s) used in the manufacture of the
object. Use lower case letters only, unless
a specific exception arises.
Use this structure, unless a specific exception arises:
Technique/medium/materials followed by
support/ground/base followed by relevant specifiers like
colors/accent materials/additional notations.
However, if the technique is unknown, a simple list of materials
is also acceptable.
MARKING MATERIALS [ink, paint, tempera paint, and/or gold leaf]
on CONTENT MATERIAL [parchment or
paper] bound between SUPPORT MATERIAL [wooden boards or
cardboard] covered with COVER MATERIAL
[velvet, morocco, leather, etc]
For folios and manuscripts where the binding is unknown:
ink, tempera paint and gold leaf on parchment
For folios and manuscripts where the binding is known:
ink and gold leaf on parchment, bound between wooden boards
covered with embossed,
red leather
I’d be happy to share the entire style guide with you if
you think it would be useful. Also may be useful to note that we use a custom Data
Entry Screen for cataloguing manuscripts to allow us to view re-purposed
fields. Cataloging this area of our collection within the framework of other
objects has been challenging to say the least! Like the other posters…any
feedback is welcome.
Kate Blanch
Administrator, Museum Databases
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/ 410.547.9000 ext. 266
The Walters Art Museum
600 N. Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21201
Poetry and Prayer: Islamic
Manuscripts from the Walters Art Museum March
20–June 13, 2010
Japanese Cloisonné Enamels from the
Stephen W. Fisher Collection through June 13, 2010
Beauty and the Brain: A Neural
Approach to Aesthetics through April 11, 2010
Mummified through November
2010
From: Morgan, Amber
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Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 1:16 PM
Subject: cataloging books as objects
Is anyone cataloging books in their
object module? Our general use library is being cataloged in the
bibliography module, but our archival collection of books is treated like
objects and thus entered in the object module. For anyone cataloging
books this way, I have a question for you: What kind of data are you
including in the medium field? We are listing the medium with as much
detail as we would for a work of art, and I can’t help but wonder if
that’s just ridiculous.
For example: Would you use “printed ink on paper with coated
cardboard cover and printed, coated paper jacket,” or simply
“hardcover book with dust jacket?”
I can see the need to include a
very detailed medium description for artist’s books or other special
books, but for regular, published books I wonder if we need to simplify a
bit. It would be really helpful to see how other museums are doing
this. I’ve managed to find some examples on the Met’s site,
but searching for books in museum collections can be kind of hit or miss.
If anyone knows of any online collections that include books this way, please
let me know.
Thanks,
Amber
the warhol:
Amber E.
Morgan
Associate Registrar
117 Sandusky Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
T 412.237.8306
F 412.237.8340
E [log in to unmask]
W www.warhol.org
The Andy Warhol Museum
One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
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