Single-Sheet Publications

General Policies

Single-sheet publications which receive original cataloging are cataloged according to the latest full national standards for descriptive cataloging. The national standards are the latest revision of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed., commonly known as AACR2, as interpreted by the Library of Congress rule interpretations, and Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (Books), commonly known as DCRM(B) . The latest editions of AACR2, the Library of Congress rule interpretations, and DCRM(B) are all available through Cataloger’s Desktop.

For pre-1800 single-sheet publications, the Rare Book Team will use DCRM(B), specifically rules 1G (title and statement of responsibility), 5B14 and 5D4 (physical description). For post-1800 single-sheet publications, it is the cataloger’s discretion which set of rules to use, AACR2 or DCRM(B). Although DCRM(B) allows for more faithful transcriptions and accurate physical descriptions, there often are instances when using AACR2 is acceptable, especially for simpler bibliographic records.

Definitions

AACR2

Sheet - As used in the physical description area, a single piece of paper other than a broadside with manuscript or printed matter on one or both sides.

Broadside - A separately published item consisting of a piece of paper, printed on one side only and intended to be read unfolded; usually intended to be posted or publicly distributed. Examples of broadsides are proclamations, handbills, ballad-sheets, news-sheets.

DCRM(B)

Single-sheet publication - A publication printed on a single or composite piece of paper or other material; it may be printed on one or both sides and may be bound or unbound. The content of a single-sheet publication, as here defined, is predominantly textual in nature, though it may contain illustrations that are subordinate or coordinate to the text.

AACR2 Rules

2.5B. Describe a broadside as such. Describe a single sheet (folded or not) as sheet.

1 broadside

1 sheet

2.5D4. Give the height and width of a single sheet. If such a sheet is designed to be folded when issued, add the dimensions of the sheet when folded.

; 48 x 30 cm. folded to 24 x 15 cm.

If the sheet is designed to be read in pages when folded, describe it as “1 folded sheet” and give the number of imposed pages and the height of the sheet when folded.

1 folded sheet (8 p.) ; 18 cm.

Note: the only time you provide extent of pagination when cataloging single-sheet publications using AACR2 is when you are describing a folded sheet.

DCRM(B) Rules

5B14.1. For a publication consisting of a single sheet designed to be used unfolded (whether issued folded or unfolded), add a statement of pagination based on the number of pages printed, not counting blanks, as follows:

1 sheet (2 p.)

(Comment: Sheet of any size printed on both sides, numbered)

1 sheet ([2] p.)

(Comment: Sheet of any size printed on both sides, unnumbered)

1 sheet ([3] p.)

(Comment: Folded sheet with title and colophon printed as 2 pages on “outside;” all text printed as one page occupying the entire “inside”)

1 sheet (1 p.)

(Comment: Broadside or other sheet printed on one side, numbered)

1 sheet ([1] p.)

(Comment: Broadside or other sheet printed on one side, unnumbered)

5B14.2. For a publication consisting of a single sheet folded into multiple panels, include in parentheses a count of the number of physical panels on one side of the sheet when unfolded. Include both blank panels and panels containing text or illustrations in the count. Enclose the number in square brackets. Provide details of the sheet’s layout (including the numbering of the panels) in a note, if considered important.

Note RBT will always provide an exaplanatory note when describing sheets with panels, formatted as given below. Always provide the dimensions of the sheet when folded and unfolded.

Example

A folded sheet with 16 panels on each side; 48 x 30 cm, folded to 24 x 15 cm.

If further description is desired:

A folded sheet with 16 panels on each side. The “outside” contains a title panel, two panels numbered 1-2, and a final blank panel. The “inside” panel contains a large map spread over all four panels. 48 x 30 cm folded to 24 x 15 cm.

5D4.1. For a single-sheet publication issued unfolded, give the height x width. If a sheet is issued in folded form, but is designed to be used unfolded (e.g., with the chief part occupying a whole side of the sheet), add the dimensions of the sheet when folded.

1 sheet ([1] p.); 48 x 30 cm, folded to 24 x 15 cm

5D4.2. When describing other folded sheets (see 5B14), give the height of the sheet when folded.

1 folded sheet ([8] panels) ; 18 cm

Examples

Example of a broadside/sheet

Examples of a folded sheet