From the last initial given on a title-page to the one chosen for the entry.
(§ [58].) From a pseudonym to the real name when discovered.
From some phraseological pseudonyms, especially if brief.
Ex. From Lawyer, when an anonymous work is said to be “by a lawyer.” For Full only.
From editors and translators.
If it is thought worth while to give a complete view of the literary and artistic activity of every author so far as it is represented in the library, of course references from editors, translators, illustrators, cartographers, engravers, etc., must be made. But this completeness is not usually sought even in large libraries. Such references {37} are also undeniably a help in finding books. But they increase the bulk and the cost of a catalogue so much and are comparatively of so little use that ordinary libraries must content themselves with a selection, though the best-made selection is certain to occasion complaints that the really useful ones have been omitted and the least important made. The chief classes of necessary references of this sort are—
- (1.) From the editors of periodicals to the title-entry, when the periodical is commonly called by the editor’s name, as Poggendorff’s Annalen, Silliman’s Journal.
- (2.) From the names of editors and translators which are habitually mentioned in connection with a work, so that it is as likely to be looked for under the editor’s name as under the author’s name. When the form is a combination of author’s and editor’s name, as Heyne’s Virgil, Leverett’s Cicero, the reference, though convenient, is certainly not necessary, inasmuch as a person of ordinary intelligence could hardly fail, not finding what he wanted under one name, to try the other.
- (3.) From the names of those who have made poetical versions, on the ground that their work is something more than mere translation.
- (4.) From the translators of anonymous works, because the title of the original will generally be unknown to the searcher. This is less necessary for famous works; thus J. Scott’s version of the Arabian Nights would probably be looked for under Arabian nights rather than under Scott; but it makes assurance doubly sure.
- (5.) From the names of translators, editors, etc., of Oriental works, because Occidental readers are much more likely to remember these names than those of the authors.
It may be thought that an excessive number of references is recommended, but it is plain that wherever there can be a reasonable doubt among cataloguers under what head a book ought to be entered, it should have at least a reference under each head. The object of an author-catalogue is to enable one to find the book; if that object is not attained the book might as well not be catalogued at all.
61. Make explanatory notes under such words as Congress, Parliament, Academies, Societies, and others in regard to whose entry there is a diverse usage, stating what is the rule of the catalogue.