5JSC/Editor/RDA/Part B/Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
MANUSCRIPTS AND INCUNABULA
Contents
18.0 Purpose, scope, etc.
18.0.1 Purpose and scope
18.0.2 Sources of information
Title
18.1 Preferred title
18.1.0 Basic instructions on preferred titles of works
contained in manuscripts, manuscript groups, and
incunabula
Choosing the preferred title
18.1.1 Manuscripts and manuscript groups
18.1.2 Incunabula
18.2 Variant title
18.2.0 Basic instructions on variant titles of works
contained in manuscripts, manuscript groups, and
incunabula
18.2.1 Alternative linguistic form of title
18.2.2 Conventional title
18.2.3 Other variant title
18.0 PURPOSE, SCOPE, ETC.
Contents
18.0.1 Purpose and scope
18.0.2 Sources of information
18.0.1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
18.0.1.1
This chapter provides additional guidelines and instructions on choosing
preferred and variant titles for use in access points representing works
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5JSC/Editor/RDA/Part B/Chapter 18
contained in manuscripts, manuscript groups, and incunabula.
18.0.1.2
The guidelines and instructions in this chapter supplement those in chapter
13 and are intended to be used in conjunction with the general guidelines
and instructions in that chapter.
18.0.2
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
18.0.2.1

Determine the title to be used as the preferred title in an access point
representing a work contained in a manuscript, manuscript group, or
incunabulum following the instructions applicable to the type of work
given under 18.1.
18.0.2.2

Take variant titles of works contained in manuscripts, manuscript
groups, and incunabula from the source(s) specified under 18.1.
Title
18.1 PREFERRED TITLE
Contents
18.1.0 Basic instructions on preferred titles of works
contained in manuscripts, manuscript groups, and
incunabula
Choosing the preferred title
18.1.1 Manuscripts and manuscript groups
18.1.2 Incunabula
18.1.0
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS ON PREFERRED TITLES OF MANUSCRIPTS,
MANUSCRIPT GROUPS, AND INCUNABULA
Contents
18.1.0.1 Scope
18.1.0.2 Sources of information
18.1.0.3 Choosing the preferred title
18.1.0.1
Scope
18.1.0.1.1
 The preferred title is the title or form of title chosen as the basis for
the preferred access point representing a work.
18.1.0.2
Sources of information
18.1.0.2.1

Determine the title to be used as the preferred title in an access point
representing a work contained in a manuscript, manuscript group, or
incunabulum following the instructions applicable to the type of work
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given under 18.1.1–18.1.2.
18.1.0.2.2

For other types of works contained in manuscripts, manuscript groups,
and incunabula, follow the general guidelines given under 13.2.0.2.
18.1.0.3
Choosing the preferred title
18.1.0.3.1

Choose the preferred title for a work contained in a manuscript or
manuscript group following the instructions given under 18.1.1.
18.1.0.3.2

Choose the preferred title for a work contained in an incunabulum
following the instructions given under 18.1.2.
18.1.1
MANUSCRIPTS AND MANUSCRIPT GROUPS
18.1.1.1

If the instructions given under 13.2, 14.2, 15.2, 16.2, or 17.2 are not
applicable to a work contained in a manuscript or manuscripts (including
manuscript groups), choose as the preferred title for the work, or for
the manuscript itself, or for the manuscript group (in this order of
preference): [25.13A1] [25.13B1]
a) a title that has been assigned to the work subsequent to its
creation or compilation
Domesday book
Godwulf manuscript
b) the name of the manuscript(s) if the work is identified only
by that name
Book of Lismore
Dead Sea scrolls
Tell-el Amarna tablets
c) the preferred access point representing the repository (see
chapter 11) followed by Manuscript and the repository’s
designation for the manuscript(s). If the manuscript is a
single item within a collection, add the foliation if known.
British Library. Manuscript. Arundel 384
British Library. Manuscript. Additional
15233, fol. 11-27
18.1.1.2

If the preferred title is chosen by the application of a) or b) above and
the manuscript or manuscript group has a repository designation, record
that designation as a variant title (see 18.2.3).
18.1.2
INCUNABULA
18.1.2.1

Choose as the preferred title for a work contained in an incunabulum
the title found in standard reference sources for incunabula. [25.14A]
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De viris illustribus
(Resource described: Liber virorum illustrium ...)
De viris illustribus
(Resource described: De rebus praeclare gestis virorum illustrium ...)
18.2 VARIANT TITLE
Contents
18.2.0 Basic instructions on variant titles of works
contained in manuscripts, manuscript groups, and
incunabula
18.2.1 Alternative linguistic form of title
18.2.2 Conventional title
18.2.3 Other variant title
18.2.0
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS ON VARIANT TITLES OF WORKS CONTAINED
IN MANUSCRIPTS, MANUSCRIPT GROUPS, AND INCUNABULA
Contents
18.2.0.1 Scope
18.2.0.2 Sources of information
18.2.0.3 General guidelines
18.2.0.1
Scope
18.2.0.1.1
 A variant title is a title or form of title by which a work is known that
differs from the title or form of title chosen as the preferred title.
18.2.0.2
Sources of information
18.2.0.2.1

18.2.0.3
General guidelines
18.2.0.3.1

Record as a variant title a title under which the work has been issued or
cited in reference sources1, that is different from the title recorded as
the preferred title for that work. [26.4B1]
18.2.0.3.2

Record as a variant title a form of title under which the work has been
issued or cited in reference sources, or resulting from a different
transliteration of the title, if it differs significantly from the form
recorded as the preferred title for that work.
Take variant titles from resources embodying the work and/or from
reference sources.
However, create an additional access point under the title proper of the resource being catalogued (see
1.8).
1
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18.2.0.3.3
18.2.1

Follow the additional specific instructions given under 18.2.1–18.2.3 and
those given in preceding sections of this chapter, as applicable.
ALTERNATIVE LINGUISTIC FORM OF TITLE
Contents
18.2.1.1 Scope
18.2.1.2 Sources of information
18.2.1.3 Recording alternative linguistic forms as variant
titles
18.2.1.1
Scope
18.2.1.1.1
 An alternative linguistic form of title is a form of title in a different
language, script, spelling, or transliterated form than the form recorded
as the preferred title.
18.2.1.2
Sources of information
18.2.1.2.1

18.2.1.3
Recording alternative linguistic forms as variant titles
18.2.1.3.1

Take alternative linguistic forms of titles from resources embodying the
work and/or from reference sources.
If the title recorded as the preferred title for a work has an alternative
linguistic form(s), record the alternative linguistic form(s) as a variant
title(s).
Different language form
[Example]
Different spelling
[Example]
Different transliteration
[Example]
18.2.2
CONVENTIONAL TITLE
[To be discussed]
18.2.3
OTHER VARIANT TITLE
Contents
18.2.3.1 Scope
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18.2.3.2 Sources of information
18.2.3.3 Recording other variant titles
18.2.3.1
Scope
18.2.3.1.1
 Other variant titles are titles or forms of title other than alternative
linguistic forms of title and conventional titles that differ from the title or
form of title recorded as the preferred title.
18.2.3.2
Sources of information
18.2.3.2.1

18.2.3.3
Recording other variant titles
18.2.3.3.1

Take other variant titles from resources embodying the work and/or
from reference sources.
Record other variants and variant forms of the title recorded as the
preferred title not covered under 18.2.1–18.2.2, as required.
Bodleian Library. Manuscript. Bruce 96
(Preferred title recorded as: Codex Brucianus)
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