Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (Books) and Its Predecessors: A History of Rare Book Cataloging Practice in the United States

by Moriarty, Kate Simpson

The first part of this paper examines the history of the development of rare book cataloging practice in the United States. It discusses the need for a cataloging code specific to rare books. It also examines the impact of both descriptive bibliography and non-rare book cataloging codes on the development of rare book cataloging rules.

The second part describes the changes in the forthcoming third edition of the rare book cataloging manual, Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (Books) (DCRM(B)). Observations of general developments in the manual are provided. A close examination of the changes in each of the rules includes the text of the rules followed by a discussion. DCRM(B) reflects decades of rare book cataloging experience and rule development. The purpose of this paper is to assist the rare book cataloger in making the transition to the new practices.