# Physical description The physicial description should give information about the extent, illustrative material and the size of the item. It should be recorded in a [**300**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/3xx#id-300-physical-description-r) field. ## Extent All leaves[^1] in an item should be recorded, including blank leaves and unnumbered leaves. The only exception is blank pages that have been added as part of the binding process, if this can be easily identified. Transcribe page numbers as they are written in the item, counting any unnumbered pages and supplying this number in square brackets, and recording any different numbering sequences, e.g. ix, \[8], 145 pages. If the item has multiple numbering sequences in the same number form, transcribe page numbers in the 300, e.g. xii, \[1], 35, 35, \[1] pages. Add a [**500**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/5xx#id-500-general-note-r) note explaining the numbering (see [DCRMR 6.21.424](https://bsc.rbms.info/DCRMR/phys-desc/Extent-of-manifestation/#621424-multiple-sequences-of-numbering) for further examples and example notes). If leaves are only printed or numbered on one side, record the page count as leaves, e.g. 48 leaves. Where leaves are printed on both sides, but only numbered on one, record leaves and add a [**500**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/5xx#id-500-general-note-r) note. If the item includes plates, count and record these after the page count, e.g. ix, \[8], 145 pages, \[8] pages of plates. ### Missing pages If you know the item is missing pages (e.g. you are copying a record from a complete copy), record this by adding (incomplete) after the page statement, e.g. ix, 162 pages (incomplete). Add a note in a [**500** ](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/5xx#id-500-general-note-r)field explaining the missing pages. If you believe the item is missing pages but cannot find a perfect copy record to compare (e.g. pages 12 and 13 are missing but we hold a unique edition), also record this by adding (incomplete) after the page statement. Note in a [**500**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/5xx#id-500-general-note-r) field that the extent is based on an incomplete copy. ### No numbering If there are no page or leaf numbers printed in the item, count the pages and provide the number in square brackets. ### Signatures It is never required to record signatures, but keep in records that have been copied (if accurate) and add if time and knowledge allows. Signatures should be recorded in a **500** note and prefaced with 'Signatures:', e.g. Signatures: \[A]⁴ B-C⁴ D² E-G⁴ H². See [DCRMR 6.215.44](https://bsc.rbms.info/DCRMR/phys-desc/Note-on-extent-of-manifestation/#621544-signatures) for further examples and information. {% hint style="success" %} Resources for recording signatures: * [Deciphering signature marks / Sarah Werner (2012)](https://www.folger.edu/blogs/collation/deciphering-signature-marks/) * [Signature-pagination table (Beinecke Rare Book Cataloging Manual)](https://rbc-cataloging-manual.beinecke.library.yale.edu/signature-pagination-table) {% endhint %} ## Illustrations Record when an item contains illustrative content. Use general terms such as ‘illustrations’, ‘maps’, ‘plates’. The terms used in this description should match with the terms in the [**008**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/leader-and-fixed-fields#id-008-date-and-country). Generally, ornamental illustrations, e.g. a border on a title page, do not need to be recorded in a **300**. If considered important, record further details of illustrative material in a [**500**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/5xx#id-500-general-note-r) note, e.g. 'map on endpapers'. ## Size Measure the height of the volume in cm and record this, rounding up to the nearest whole centimetre. If the item is wider than it is tall, also measure the width and provide this, e.g. 21 x 23 cm. If the item is housed in a case or box that was issued with the item when it was published (i.e. not a conservation box), also record the height and width of the case or box, e.g. 21 cm, in box 22 x 19 cm. ## Format Record the book format (in abbreviated form) in brackets after the height of the volume. | Format | Abbreviation | | ----------- | ------------ | | Broadsheet | Full sheet | | Folio | Fol. | | Quarto | 4to. | | Octavo | 8vo. | | Duodecimo | 12mo. | | Sextodecimo | 16mo. | ### Guide to bibliographic formats

From the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America

## Notes on physical description Notes on physical description should be recorded in a [**500**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/5xx#id-500-general-note-r) field. Where relevant, the following notes should always be included: * Numbering irregularities (e.g. leaves only numbered on one side, pages not numbered using Arabic or Roman numerals, misprints, multiple number sequences) * Further details of illustrative material ## Binding Information about an item's binding should be recorded in a [**563**](https://docs.wellcomecollection.org/library-cataloguing/9yMHsFGBXS9DDRGtdmSE/bibliographic-record/5xx#id-563-binding-information-r). Use terms from the [RBMS controlled vocabulary](https://rbms.info/vocabularies/binding/alphabetical_list.htm) where possible. {% hint style="success" %} AbeBooks has a useful [guide to understanding book bindings](https://www.abebooks.co.uk/books/rarebooks/collecting-guide/understanding-rare-books/understanding-bindings.shtml) {% endhint %} [^1]: A leaf (as opposed to a page) is a piece of paper printed on both sides. Each side of the leaf is a page.