1B. Title proper

Contents:

1B1. Words considered part of the title proper

1B1.1.

The title proper is the first element of the description. Title information preceding the chief title on the title page is considered part of the title proper. If the chief title is preceded or followed in the source by other elements of information, transpose these elements to their appropriate areas in the description (or give them in a note) unless case endings would be affected, the grammatical construction of the information would be disturbed, or the text is otherwise grammatically inseparable from the title proper. In the latter cases, transcribe the information as part of the title proper.

The post-humous works of Robert Hooke

Monsieur Bossu's treatise of the epicke poem

M. Tullii Ciceronis de officiis libri tres

Bell's edition of Shakspere

1B1.2.

Make a note to indicate the original position on the title page of transposed elements.

Prudence Palfrey : a novel / Thomas Bailey Aldrich

Note: Author's name at head of title

1B2. Note on the source of the title proper

Make a note on the source of the title proper if it is a title page substitute, e.g., the caption title, docket title, etc.

A new list of fifty two ships sent to the East-Indies

Note: Docket title

1B3. Forms of the title proper

The title proper can take a variety of forms, some of which are exemplified below:

1B3.1.

Title proper inclusive of other titles or other title information appearing before the chief title on the title page:

Seculum Davidicum redivivum, The divine right of the revolution scripturally and rationally evinced and applied

(Comment: By virtue of its typographical prominence, the English title is clearly the chief title.)

Prize dissertation, which was honored with the Magellanic Gold Medal, by the American Philosophical Society, January, 1793. Cadmus, or, A treatise on the elements of written language

(Comment: "Cadmus …" is clearly more prominent than "Prize dissertation …")

Hereafter foloweth a litel boke called Colyn Cloute

(Comment: "Colyn Cloute" is the chief title.)

1B3.2.

Title proper inclusive of alternative titles:

Christianographie, or, The description of the multitude and sundry sorts of Christians in the vvorld not subject to the Pope

1B3.3.

Title proper consisting solely of the name of a responsible person or body:

Salustius

1B3.4.

Title proper inclusive of a caption. (See 1G4 for caption titles on single-sheet publications.):

Source:

To the Honourable Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses and Services of the American Loyalists. The memorial of Silvester Gardiner humbly sheweth, ...

Transcription:

To the Honourable Commissioners appointed by act of Parliament for enquiring into the losses and services of the American loyalists. The memorial of Silvester Gardiner humbly sheweth ...

1B4. Title proper with grammatically inseparable designation

If a publication is in more than one volume and the title proper of each volume includes a grammatically inseparable designation such as numbering that is specific to that volume, supply in square brackets after the first designation a hyphen and the final designation, omitting intermediate designations. Do the same for single-volume publications that contain multiple parts.

Quinti Horatii Flacci epistolarum liber primus[-secundus]

Thomas Masterson his first[-second] booke of arithmeticke

Le premier[-quart] volume de messire Jehan Froissart lequel traicte des choses dignes de memoire aduenues tant es pays de France, Angleterre, Flanders, Espaigne que Escoce, et autres lieux circonuoisins

If it is not feasible to do this, transcribe the title proper of the first volume or part without this interpolation and make a note about the later designation(s).

1B5. No title proper

If no title can be found in any source, use as the title proper the opening words of the text if these provide a reasonably distinctive title. If the opening words of the text are not suitable, or if the beginning of the text is lacking, devise a brief descriptive title, preferably in the language and script of the cataloging agency, and use this devised title, enclosed in square brackets, as the title proper. Make a note indicating whether the title proper is taken from the opening words of the text or has been devised by the cataloger.

I am a jolly huntsman, my voice is shrill and clear

Note: Title from opening two lines of poem

(Comment: Title is not bracketed because the first page of text is here the title page substitute.)

[Observations on a bill relative to the militia]

Note: Title devised from content

(Comment: Opening words "Herewith and the desire of being serviceable in the smallest degree to my country ..." not suitable as title.)

[Sermon on Christian baptism]

Note: Title devised from content of sermon

1B6. Title proper with supplementary or section designation or title

If the title proper for a work that is supplementary to, or a section of, another work appears in two or more grammatically separable parts, transcribe the title of the main work first, followed by the designation(s) and/or title(s) of the supplement(s) or section(s) in order of their dependence. Make a note indicating the original position on the title page of any transposed elements.

Faust. Part one

Note: Title page reads: Part one. Faust

If describing an individual issue of a serial, transcribe the numbering of the issue as instructed in Appendix H.

1B7. Abridgments of the title proper

1B7.1. General rule

Abridge a long title proper only if it can be done without loss of essential information. Do not omit any of the first five words. Indicate omissions by the mark of omission.

An act or law passed by the General Court or Assembly of His Majesty's English colony of Connecticut ... on the seventh day of February ... 1759

1B7.2. Alternative title

If the title proper contains an alternative title, do not omit any of the first five words of the alternative title.

England's alarm, or, A most humble declaration, address, and fervent petition ...

1B7.3. Chief title

Extend the transcription of the title proper through the end of the chief title of the resource. Apply this provision even if other words in the title proper precede the chief title (see 1B1.1, 1B3.1). If the end of the chief title cannot be determined, break off the transcription at the first grammatically acceptable place, but in no event within the first five words of the chief title.

Jo. Danielis Schoepflini consil. reg. ac Franciae historiogr. vindiciae typographicae

(Comment: The chief title is "Vindiciae typographicae.")

A brand new song, entitled The Irishman's address to the twenty-six Nottingham worthies ...

(Comment: The chief title begins "The Irishman's address" but its ending is ambiguous.)