Introduction

This list of genre/form/physical characteristics (MARC 655) terms is designed to facilitate selection of form and genre terms in archives and manuscript cataloging at Beinecke. It contains primarily those terms most frequently used in cataloging our post-1600 manuscripts and archival collections; a few less used but especially desirable terms are also included. While most terms listed enhance research and reference access to collections, some terms (e.g. blueprints; letterpress copybooks) are included to enhance access to collections for curatorial and management purposes (marked with a *).

This list is not exhaustive, nor is it intended to be exclusive. Catalogers should consult Orbis and the standard thesauri and from which this list is derived, if additional terms are desired.(Search AAT.) Suggestions for additions to this list should be referred to the Cataloging Coordinator. This list will be updated on a periodic basis, as needed.

Catalogers also should consult the thesauri referenced in this list for full information on definition and usage of terms. Cataloger's notes (designated CN) and cross-references included in this list provide additional guidance in local practice, and clarify the definition of terms where it is lacking in the standard thesauri.

It should be noted that tracings are made both for single occurrences of special interest and items present that would not be reasonably assumed to exist in a collection. Consequently, we are not tracing such obvious forms such as galley proofs, letters, and correspondence.

Principal Thesauri Used:

Art and Architecture Thesaurus: Documents Type Hierarchy (aat)

Descriptive terms for graphic materials: Genre and physical characteristics headings (gmgpc) - Source for terms for visual materials (i.e. pictorial aspect is of primary importance in characterizing the document).

Special thesauri which may be used for terminology not included in AAT and GMGPC:

Genre terms: A thesaurus for use in rare books and special collections cataloguing (rbgenr) - Principal alternate source for terms for textual materials.

Printing and publishing evidence: Thesauri for use in rare book and special collections cataloging (rbpri)

Local Terms:

A thesauri code of |2 local is used to designate terms developed locally because the nationally accepted lists do not contain adequate terms. Usage of such "local" terms MUST be approved, in advance, by the manuscripts Cataloging Coordinator.

Note Regarding Printed Items in the Manuscripts Collection:

[Still pending discussion with RBC, 10/95]

Abstracts. |2 aat

Use for abstracts of title, deeds, etc.

Use for the following:

Day books (accounting records)
Journals (accounts)
Ledgers

See: Speeches

Use for forms of albums not otherwise more appropriately described by any of the more specific terms listed below:

Autograph albums
Photograph albums (in photographic terms list)
Scrapbooks

See also: Autographs

Used especially in WA.

See: Diaries

See also: Blueprints

Articles.

Do not use as a genre term. It is unlikely to be of interest outside of the specific collection to which it might be applied. Do note the presence of articles (esp. unpublished) by an individual in a collection of that person's papers in the 520 note.

See also: Clippings

Artifacts. |2 aat

Use for 3-dimensional artifacts, including souvenirs. For printed souvenirs, however, use Ephemera.

See: Tax records

Clarify the nature of the work (i.e. a memoir, an autobiographical sketch, a reminiscence) in the 520. Use for:

Memoirs
Reminiscences

See also:

Autographs
Scrapbooks

Use only for collections of loose autographs, not for isolated autographs.

See also: Autograph albums

See also: Certificates

Baccalaureate sermons. |2 rbgenr

Baptismal registers. |2 aat

See also: Church records

Do not trace as a genre. Instead, use appropriate LCSH topical heading subdivided by Bibliographies.

Bills (Legislative records) |2 aat

Bills of lading. |2 aat

See also: Ships' papers

Binders' instructions (Binding) |2 rbbin

Binders' stamps (Binding) |x [Name.] |2 local
           Also make 600:[#]4: |a [Name] |x Binding.
 
Binders' tickets (Binding) |x [Name.] |2 local
           Also make 600:[#]4: |a [Name] |x Binding.

Binding terms
            Besides the above Binders' terms, see Armorial binding

Biographies. |2 aat

Bird's-eye views. |2 aat

Birth certificates. |2 aat

See also: Vital statistics records

Use Architectural drawings for general reference/descriptive purposes. Used for internal management purposes--Preservation priority.

Booksellers' advertisements. |2 rbgenr

Booksellers' catalogues. |2 rbgenr

Booksellers' labels (Provenance) |x [Name]. |2 local

Booksellers' stamps (Provenance) |x [Name]. |2 local

Broadsides. |2 aat

See also: Handbills

Use also standard LCSH practice:

650: 0: |a [Corporate name] |x Records and correspondence.
650: 0: |a [Type of business] |x Records and correspondence.

Captivity narratives. |2 rbgenr

Used especially by WA.

See also: Political cartoons

Catalogs.

See:

Booksellers' catalogs
Exhibition catalogs

Used especially by GEN

See also: Vital statistics records

Use for award-type certificates (e.g. certificates of appreciation) See also:

Awards
Diplomas

Church records. |2 aat

See also: Baptismal registers

Clippings. |2 aat

Use for formal clipping files, not isolated clippings or unarranged, miscellaneous clippings

Commissions.

See: Military records

Conveyances. |2 aat

Use for property conveyances.

County records

See: Local government records

See: Judicial records

See: Money

See:

Account books
Diaries

See also: Vital statistics records

Diaries. |2 aat

Use for the following:

Appointment books
Day books (i.e. personal calendars and daily accounts, not financial)
Journals (Personal narratives)

See also: Maritime journals
                Gold rush diaries
                Overland journals

Specify character of diary content in 520 (i.e. lengthy narrative, appointment books, etc.)

Use only for "exotic" languages (e.g. Native American). Use for glossaries.

See also: Certificates

Images produced by drawing. Something more substantial than a sketch

See also:

Architectural drawings
Illustrations
Sketchbooks
Sketches

Use for collections that include an especially rich assortment of printed ephemera and for outstanding examples of printed ephemera cataloged individually. Use the more specific terms listed below when the printed ephemera consists chiefly of:

Bookplates
Theater programs

Eulogies. |2 aat

Exhibition catalogs. |2 aat

Family histories. |2 aat

Use for narrative histories.

See also: Genealogies

Federal government records. |2 aat

Use for Government records

Film scripts. |2 rbgenr

Use for Screenplays (motion pictures).

See also: Scripts

Genealogies. |2 aat

Use for family trees and listings

See also: Family histories

See: Dictionaries

Government records.

See:

Federal government records
Judicial records
Local government records
State government records
Tax records
Territorial records
Vital statistics records
Voters' lists

Use for large concentrations of exceptional (old or fine press) examples only.

See also:

Hotel registers
Visitors' books

See also:

Broadsides (broader term)
Playbills (narrower term)

See also: Guest registers

Illustrations. |2 aat

Representations or diagrams that clarify, usually accompanying a text, sometimes part of an advertisement. See also:

Drawings
Sketchbooks
Sketches

Interviews. |2 aat

See also: Oral histories

Journals (accounts)

See: Account books

See:

Diaries
Gold rush diaries
Maritime journals
Overland journals

Use for Court records

Use for material by children

Use for Patents (land). Used especially by WA.

Leases. |2 aat

Lecture notes. |2 aat

Lectures. |2 aat

Use for classroom lectures.

See also: Speeches (and related narrower terms, as appropriate)

See: Account books

Use for documents that give expression to a legal act or agreement, for the purpose of creating, securing, modifying, or terminating a right, or for the purpose of furnishing evidence of a right. For documents having legal relevance in general, use "legal documents."

See also: Specialized terms for specific type of documents. These include but are not limited to the following:

Articles of incorporation
Bylaws
Charters
Conveyances
Deeds
Land grants
Leases
Treaties
Wills

Trace only pictorial lettersheets. If Californian, or early West, the item will also be cataloged separately (check with George Miles). Refer to RBC.

Do not use. See:

Letterheads
Letterpress copybooks

See: Letterheads

Used for internal management purposes--preservation priority. Used especially by WA.

Lithographs. |2 aat

Little magazines. |2 aat

Local government records. |2 aat

Use for county and municipal records. Used especially by WA.

Used especially by WA.

Maritime journals. |2 rbgenr

Marriage certificates. |2 aat

See also: Vital statistics records

Memoirs.

See: Autobiographies

Prints, cards (but not black-edged stationery) and other visual items produced in memory of a deceased person.

See also:

Commemorative addresses
Eulogies
Obituaries

Military records. |2 aat

Use for orders, commissions, and other military documents.

Money. |2 aat

Use for all types of currency (paper and coin)

Motion pictures. |2 aat

Municipal records

See: Local government records

Catch-all for all music. Specify types (e.g. songs, scores for instrumental works, etc.) in 520 if not otherwise readily apparent from the bibliographic description.

See also: Sheet music covers

See:

Field notes
Lecture notes

Occasional addresses. |2 rbgenr

Oil paintings. |2 aat

Oral histories. |2 aat

See also: Interviews

See: Military records

Especially but not exclusively defined for U.S. West. Subdivide by date. Used especially by WA.

Pamphlets. |2 aat

For printed works. May also need to be cataloged by RBC.

Used especially by WA.

Pastels (visual works). |2 aat

Patents (land)

See: Land grants

Petitions. |2 aat

Used especially by WA.

Playscripts

See: Scripts

Portraits. |2 aat

Used especially by WA.

Used especially by WA.

Used especially by WA.

Proclamations. |2 aat

Programs. |2 aat

See also: Theater programs

Property conveyances

See: Conveyances

Receipts. |2 aat

Regimental histories. |2 rbgenr

Reminiscences.

See: Autobiographies

Samizdat. |2 rbgenr

Scrapbooks. |2 aat

See also:

Albums
Autograph albums
Photograph albums (in photographic terms list)

See: Film scripts

Use for Playscripts

See also:

Film scripts
Radio scripts
Television scripts

See also:

Baccalaureate sermons
Eulogies

Use in addition to Musical works. If printed, especially if with pictorial covers, may also require a separate catalog record for the printed work.

See also: Ships' papers

See also:

Ships' logs
Bills of lading

Applies to bound volumes. Used especially by WA. See also:

Drawings
Illustrations
Sketches

See also:

Cartoons (humorous images)
Drawings
Illustrations
Sketchbooks

Unlikely to be present, but if present, use.

See:

Artifacts (for 3-dimensional realia)
Ephemera (for printed items)

See also:

Baccalaureate addresses
Baccalaureate sermons
Commemorative addresses
Lectures
Occasional addresses
Sermons

Tax records. |2 aat

Use for assessment books and other government records related to the process of assessing and collecting taxes.

Territorial records. |2 aat

Testimonies. |2 aat

Use for court testimony

Treaties. |2 aat

Trial proceedings. |2 rbgenr

Triptychs. |2 aat

Video recordings. |2 aat

Viewbooks. |2 aat

Used especially by WA

See also:

Guest registers
Hotel registers

For compilations of birth, marriage and death statistics. See also:

Birth certificates
Census records
Death certificates
Marriage certificates

Watercolors. |2 aat

Wills. |2 aat

Headings are derived from Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT), Library of Congress Thesaurus for Graphic Materials (LCTGM), and Descriptive Terms for Graphic Materials: Genre and Physical Characteristic Headings (GMGPC). For genre and format the AAT term has been preferred. Presented in hierarchical form for easier identification.

Albums. |2 aat

Card photograph albums. |2 gmgpc

Use for carte-de-visite albums.
Also trace: Photographic prints and Cartes-de-visite

Photograph albums. |2 aat

AAT and GMGPC assign different scopes to this term. To be used here for personal albums containing mounted snapshots, with or without ms. captions.
Also trace: Photographic prints (and usually, Snapshots)

Also trace: Photographic prints

A very generic term for a process. Use the more specific below when possible.

Ambrotypes. |2 aat

Card photographs. |2 aat

This term includes photonegatives and unmounted photoprints where it is clear they were intended for such standard mounts.

Also trace (usually): Photographic prints

Cabinet photographs. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Cartes-de-visite. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Kodak card photographs. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Daguerreotypes. |2 aat

Half stereographs. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Negatives. |2 gmgpc

Film negatives. |2 gmgpc
Glass negatives. |2 gmgpc

Panoramic photographs. |2 aat

Refers to both panoramas made with panoramic cameras and to panoramas constructed of individual joined photos.

Also trace: Photographic prints

Photographic prints. |2 aat

This will be the generic term assigned to photographs on paper where the process is not definitely identified. Narrower terms may be assigned when information is available:

Albumen prints. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Collodion prints. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Cyanotypes. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Gelatin silver prints. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Platinum prints. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Salted paper prints. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Slides (photographs) |2 aat

Lantern slides. |2 aat

Stereographs. |2 aat

Also trace: Photographic prints

Tintypes. |2 aat

Use for albums that contain material in addition to photographs, i.e. clippings, postcards, etc. Check with curator for possible placement in AMC mss if photos play only a minor role.

Also trace: Photographic prints

Use for commercially produced views of particular events, places or activities, in book form

Also trace: Photographic prints

Also trace: Photographic prints