University of Virginia Library

Introductory Notes

The contents of the notes will vary depending upon the scope of the bibliographer's efforts. In most cases, whether the bibliographer is describing all the numbers of a particular periodical or a single number, the note will discuss the general features of the periodical run and indicate the relationship of the number(s) to the established practices of the periodical series. The note will provide information such as:

• 1) frequency of publication (quarterly, monthly, weekly?) and time-table of aggregation into volumes
• 2) existence of supplements, annual indexes, or other additions to the regular printing schedule of the periodical run
• 3) typical number of pages and collation formula
• 4) typical organization of contents
• 5) frequency and kinds of illustrations

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• 6) form(s) of distribution, price
• 7) editor(s)

In cases where only an individual number is described, the note will be oriented towards the individual features of the number, but will still contain sufficient information about the periodical run to place the number in its larger context.

Among the important external sources of information for the publication history of periodicals are prospectuses, announcements in newspapers and periodicals, and reviews. These materials can be especially useful in determining the status of periodicals that exist in only one or two numbers, or in other ways are difficult to identify as serial publications. References in Victorian printing journals point to additional methods of publicizing periodicals, including the distribution of placards, show cards,[25] and tables of contents. Some insight into the importance and the distribution of promotional materials can be gathered from comments in the Printing Times and Lithographer:

Another reference in the Printing Times and Lithographer suggests the extremes to which Victorian publishers would go to promote a new periodical: These references indicate the value of scanning trade journals for information about a periodical's promotional materials and methods, as well as the importance of including such information in the introduction.