How to collate an early printed book

This mini series by Dr Sian Witherden (Rare books and manuscripts specialist) explains how to collate early printed books. These blog posts work through several practical examples from the Bodleian’s incunabula collection, especially Arch. G e.2.

Aimed at students, the series explores strategies and resources for self-learning and includes tips for how to make the most of digitizations.

A photograph of Bodleian Library, Arch. G e.2, sig. m5v. A printer’s device appears at the bottom of the page with the initials WC. At the top right, there is a quire register.
Oxford, Bodleian Library, Arch. G e.2, sig. m5v. Reproduced from Digital Bodleian under a CC BY-NC 4.0 licence.

1. Introducing collation

Explores the meaning and purpose of collation, followed by an overview of the main case study for this series: the Bodleian’s copy of the second edition of Earl Rivers’ Cordyal (Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, c.1494).

2. Identifying format

Provides background information on how early printed books were made and explains the basics of identifying paper format.

3. Collating in practice

Guides the reader through the practical process of collating Bodleian Library Arch. G e.2, showing how to write a simple collation formula. 

4. Next steps with collation

Offers advice on how to tackle some more complex collations and suggests directions for further reading.

Appendix: Further reading on collation