Use the book itself and attributable publisher evidence to distinguish a work, an edition and the particular copy in front of you.
Start with a transcription
Record the title, credited contributors, publisher, language and publication statement from the book. Keep the wording of an edition or printing statement rather than translating it into an assumed first-edition claim. Photograph or transcribe the title page and colophon for your own records. A cover is useful identification evidence, but it is not a substitute for the publication details inside. When the sources disagree, keep both observations and identify where each came from.
Understand what the ISBN identifies
The International ISBN Agency assigns different ISBNs to different language editions and formats; substantial revisions also require a new ISBN. A reprint with the same publisher, text and binding retains its ISBN. Consequently, an ISBN match is a valuable identity check, but it cannot by itself establish a particular printing. Compare the number with the language, binding and edition statement. Do not borrow specifications from a similarly titled product page whose ISBN or format is different.
Keep copy attributes separate
A signature, inscription, jacket, slipcase or condition note describes the copy being examined. Record exactly what is present and avoid turning an observation into a claim about every copy of the edition. If a publisher describes a separately issued signed or limited version, retain that source and its precise identifier. An ownership note should not overwrite the shared catalogue record for other readers.
Compare evidence before adding a fact
Check a publisher's page against the physical publication whenever possible. Keep a source URL and the date you consulted it, and distinguish an explicit specification from an inference. In Photobook Library, use the edition selector when it is available and confirm that images and descriptions belong to that selection. A blank field means the catalogue has no displayed value; it is not evidence that a feature is absent. Report a mismatch with the book ID, edition identifier and supporting source so the correction can be reviewed.
Sources and further reading
Photobook Library reading resources. Prepared with AI assistance; cited institutional and publisher sources checked on 20 October 2026. Reading prompts are editorial suggestions; edition specifications belong to the individual catalogue records.