A title page is often the best place to start when trying to identify the bibliographic details of a work. The cover may be shorter than the actual title, include a series name prominently, or omit other contributors entirely. The title page is usually a more accurate source of information regarding both the identity of the work and the edition that is present. Rather than going straight to a library catalog or doing a web search, take a moment to examine the title page in person before beginning.
First, transcribe the full title and subtitle exactly as they appear. Don’t substitute the wording that you recall from a different edition. Identify which terms make up the main title and which are included in the subtitle, volume statement, or series. While typography can sometimes assist with determining the boundaries between different elements, simply looking at the font sizes is not always reliable. It is possible for the series name to be displayed more prominently than the rest of the title. Record the text as it stands before assigning the various parts to the appropriate categories.
Following the title, note all individuals or organizations identified on the page and indicate the function or contribution associated with each one. The presence of an author, editor, translator, illustrator, compiler, or institution on the page should be noted separately. Don’t assume that these are all interchangeable roles. For instance, recording a translator as a second author would be inaccurate for a translated edition. Note specific contributions, such as “edited by,” “translated from,” or “with illustrations by.” If the function of a person or organization is not clear, record the terminology used rather than inferring an alternative.
Finally, review the publishing information, typically found in the lower section of the title page, which includes the location of publication, the publisher, and the publication date. All of these details should be recorded together. Keep in mind that the location doesn’t necessarily refer to the printer’s location and that the date listed on the title page might be different from the copyright date noted elsewhere in the volume. Take note of the data available without determining which date is the primary one. In addition, there may be multiple locations mentioned, more than one publisher, or the publisher’s imprint name rather than the name of the parent company. All of this information can prove helpful in determining which edition is present.
Once the title page has been thoroughly reviewed, examine the verso of the title page and the copyright page. Check for an edition statement, a printing line, the ISBN, the printer’s name, or other publication dates. This can prevent misidentifying the date of first publication versus the publication date of the physical copy you have examined. A volume originally published many years ago may be contained within a newer softcover with new editing, notes, illustrations, or a different translator. All of these are additional details relevant to the publication history of that specific edition.
As an exercise, try recording the details of an everyday volume. Take a picture of the title page and then write down the title, subtitle, names of contributors, publication location, publisher, and date presented on the page. Compare this information to that found on the copyright page and colophon, but also note any discrepancies. If the date given on the title page does not match any of the dates listed on the copyright page, don’t select one without documenting the difference. Record what each source says and the page on which it appears.
By taking the time to read a title page carefully, you should end up with a set of facts, not a revelation. You might still need to consult a catalog entry or publisher website to find missing or confusing data, but you will be able to do so with greater efficiency, knowing what the volume you are examining has to offer. Once you have completed this process, ensure that every contributor, contributor role, publication location, publisher, and date in your notes can be traced back to a specific page in the book. Doing so can transform a casual observation into a documented piece of bibliographical evidence.
