Principles of Bibliographical Description

by Fredson Bowers

Reprint of the first edition. With an Introduction by G. Thomas Tanselle. One of the indisputable classics of 20th-century scholarship, Bowers's work is one of the standard guides on the subject, providing a comprehensive manual for the description of printed books as physical objects. Although there has been much activity in descriptive bibliography since then, Principles still holds its place as the central book to which those engaged in bibliographical work continually return.

Genres: Books About Books, Nonfiction, Library Science, Reference, Librarianship

532 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Fredson Thayer Bowers was an American bibliographer and scholar of textual editing.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A question for the ages...what would Bowers do?

[Vicky P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the techniques and wisdoms are obviously outdated given the publication date (I shudder to think what my man Fredson would say in his dry scathing tone about amazon print-on-demand), and to be quite honest the style and density make this a very dry read - despite its format, it really is more of a reference book. He also clearly hated librarians in the first half of the twentieth century. That being said you probably can't find someone more in touch with the field of bibliography in that time than him, and so there's a lot of interesting "state of the field" nuggets that were probably my favorite parts.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the definitive book on the subject. Bowers provides a "formula" for just about any type of pre-1830 signature combination that exists. However, this is the driest book I've ever read. Try getting through this thing without those eyelid-lock things that Alexander DeLarge has to wear in A Clockwork Orange.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read particular chunks of this, and skimmed most of it. It's not really designed to be read cover to cover (unless you are very interested in rare books bibliography), but more a guide to further existing bibliographic knowledge. I personally find that Gaskell is much easier to comprehend than Bowers. Bowers goes in depth in ways that are hard to comprehend if one does not already have a decent grip on collational formulas. Incredibly thorough, but not as easy to refer to if one has a simple bibliographic query rather than a unique problem.

[szreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this book out for a class just to read a few chapters but ended up enjoying it so much I read the entire thing!!

[Katie Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid guide for the bibliographer. Can’t really go wrong with this as your fallback, the book to go to when you’re in need! The numerous examples he provides are extremely useful.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

DENSE!! Thank goodness for rare book school or I never would have understood what he was talking about. :) I hope I get to use his collation formula's in my job someday! Not for the uninitiated and really only for those who love rare books.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The core book for descriptive bibliographical work. Absolutely indispensable.

[Anca Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the book.

[Stephanie Fysh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Principles of bibliographical description by Fredson Bowers (1949)