Gemsmakers · Printed-object study

Antique Book & Print Collation Worksheet

Record what you can see in an old book, pamphlet, portfolio, or print suite before making claims about completeness. This worksheet turns an inspection into a traceable gathering-by-gathering record; it does not identify an edition or certify authenticity.

Leaf & plate inventoryStructure comparisonCondition-aware notes

1 · Identify the item

Use a neutral working title. Transcribe title-page or catalog wording exactly and keep your own description separate.

Working titleFormatCreator / imprint as printedCatalog or shelf referenceEdition statement and source

2 · Compare expected and observed structure

Enter one gathering or sequence per line. Keep the notation exactly as printed in a bibliographic reference, then make a separate observation of what is physically present. For an unbound portfolio, list each numbered plate or sheet.

Expected sequenceInclude the source for the expected sequence in the field below.Observed sequenceDo not infer a missing leaf solely from a numbering jump.Reference for expected collationPlates, maps, inserts, and foldouts

3 · Record condition without handling risk

Missing, loose, or duplicated leavesAnnotations, stamps, labels, ownership marksCondition and limits of inspection

Gentle handling: Support a fragile binding, avoid forcing a tight opening or unfolding a brittle sheet, and follow the holding institution’s handling instructions. A conservator should assess fragile or valuable material.

How to make a useful collation

Separate expectation from observation. Expected structure comes from a cited reference; observed structure comes from this inspection.
Keep the notation and its source. Different catalogs may describe the same copy differently or have corrected earlier records.
Record the boundaries. Note whether endpapers, blanks, advertisements, maps, and plates were checked.
Describe evidence, not certainty. “No plate observed after page 42” is safer than “plate missing” if the reference has not been verified.

A gathering is a group of folded leaves sewn or otherwise assembled together. Bibliographic notation can be specialized; preserve the source’s notation and ask a rare-book cataloger when interpretation affects a sale or attribution.

Questions for a cataloger

Does the reference describe this issue, edition, or state?
Are unnumbered leaves, cancels, or advertisements part of the expected copy?
Are plates bound in, loose, or supplied separately?
Can a repair, paper guard, or rebinding explain an apparent sequence break?
What parts could not be safely examined?

Frequently asked questions

Does this worksheet prove a book is complete?

No. It organizes observations for comparison with reliable bibliographic references. Edition, issue, state, and copy-specific variations require expert interpretation.

Should I remove a plate to inspect its stub?

No. Do not detach or force leaves. Record what is visible and ask a book conservator or qualified cataloger for guidance.

Is the information saved or uploaded?

This page builds the record in your browser. It has no database or external API connection; copy or download the result if you want to retain it.

1 · Identify the item

2 · Compare expected and observed structure

3 · Record condition without handling risk

Your collation record