Issue Numbers

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There are two types of numbers recorded for individual issues in a series. The issue number is a usually sequential number ordering the issues in the series. A mass market paperback number is a publisher's code number that identifies the issue and its printing but is usually not sequential. The series first has to have the "Has publisher code number" checkbox set for the mass market paperback number field to appear when editing the issue; see Publisher Code Numbers.

Issue Number

  • Required field
  • Enter the issue number (or other label) as it appears in the indicia. If there is no indicia, use the cover number.
  • If a number appears on the cover an issue that also lists an indicia number, but the two are not the same, enter it in (parentheses) after the indicia number.
    • When the issue does not list a number in the indicia, use the cover number without any brackets or parentheses.
    • Some issues have an indicia number that mimics this rule, as "69 (9)". To avoid confusion that the number in parentheses only appears on the cover, record this as separate numbers with a slash ("69 / 9"), giving both numbers equal weight as indicia numbering.
  • If there is a number that is not present anywhere on the issue but would be based on sequential order or traditional usage such as in popular price guides, enter it in [brackets].
    • When a book or periodical doesn't have a number listed, use [nn] as the issue number.
      • While [nn] is an abbreviation for the English term "non-numbered", please do not translate it into another language; just use [nn] so it can be migrated more easily to a better issue number system that includes localization and translation.
    • If a non-numbered book occupies a spot in an otherwise numbered series, use the number in brackets in place of (not in addition to) [nn].
    • When a number is present in the indicia but another number is commonly used (for instance, when a series has two issues of that number and a distinction must be made), enter the indicia number first followed by the additional number in [brackets].
  • If you feel a made-up number which does not actually appear on the book would be useful it can be included in [brackets].
  • When the number is spelled out (such as "Book One"), enter the numeral equivalent ("1"). Use the Notes (Issue) field to enter the number as displayed.
  • When the number is listed as a Roman numeral such as "IX", enter the Arabic numeral equivalent ("9"). Use the Notes (Issue) field to enter the number as displayed.
  • For series that number by year (mostly European series), write the year after a slash, for example, "4/2009" for issue #4 in publication year 2009.
  • For series that restart the numbering periodically with a new volume number (many Golden Age US books, for example), use the volume number in addition to the issue number field and check the "show volume with number" box to get numbers in the format "v1#1".
  • For the Pearson "picture library" titles and similar series without issue numbering, see Issue Title.
  • Do not use the ISBN as an issue number, as there is a separate field for ISBNs.

Examples

  • Normal single issue number one:
    • Issue number field: 1
    • No volume field: checked
  • No number and only one issue:
    • Issue number field: [nn]
    • No volume field: checked
  • No number but is the second issue of a series:
    • Issue number field: [2]
    • No volume field: checked
  • Normal single issue #14 with a volume #2 that is usually not mentioned:
    • Issue number field: 14
    • Volume number: 2
    • Show volume with number: not checked
  • Book in a series that is identified as having volume or book numbers and no "issue" number (Volume 2 in this case):
    • Issue number field: 2
    • Volume number field: 2
    • Show volume with number: not checked
  • Book number is spelled out such as "Book Two"
    • Issue number field: 2
    • No volume field: checked
    • Notes (Optional): Issue Number displayed as "Book Two"
  • Issue number is a Roman numeral such as "XIV"
    • Issue number field: 14
    • No volume field: checked
    • Notes (Optional): Issue Number displayed as "XIV"
  • Volume 5 issue 6:
    • Issue number field: 6
    • Volume number field: 5
    • Show volume with number: checked
  • Volume 5 issue 6 in the indicia with cover number 30:
    • Issue number field: 6 (30)
    • Volume number field: 5
    • Show volume with number: checked
  • Volume 5 issue 6 in the indicia, no cover number but other issues in the series use whole cover numbers and the issue is commonly referred to by its whole number:
    • Issue number field: 6 [30]
    • Volume number field: 5
    • Show volume with number: checked
  • Issue 4 in publication year 1995:
    • Issue number field: 4/1995
    • No volume field: checked
  • Issue 4 in publication year 1995 in volume #2:
    • Issue number field: 4/1995
    • Volume number field: 2
    • Show volume with number: not checked
  • Dual numbering in the indicia:
    • Issue number field: 69 / 9
  • Issue 10 in indicia and on cover, and cover shows an additional number, such as a legacy number 405:
    • Issue number field: 10 (405)
    • No volume field: checked

See also

  • See Cat-Man Comics for an example of more than half of these rules in a single series.
  • See the Display Volume with Issue Number examples for many more examples of the volume fields in combination with various issue number situations.

Mass Market Paperback Book Number

Do not use the Issue Number field as described above for numbering such books, but instead enter it in the Mass Market Paperback Book Number field; see Publisher Code Numbers for setting a series to provide the entering capability for its issues.

  • Use the paperback book number (or other label) as it appears in the indicia. If there is no indicia, use the cover number without any brackets or parentheses.
  • If there is a number that is not present anywhere on the issue but would be based on sequential order or traditional usage such as in popular price guides, enter it in [brackets].
  • When a number is present in both the indicia and on the cover, but those numbers differ, enter the indicia number in this field and enter the cover number in the Issue Number field.
  • When the number is a standard numbering of a type commonly used on comic books, use the Issue Number field, not the Mass Market Paperback Book Number field.
  • Do not use the ISBN as a paperback number, as there is a separate field for ISBNs.

Examples

  • Styles of numbers commonly used:
    • Book number consisting of all numerals, usually 3 or more numerals in length: 12459
    • Book number consisting of all numerals, grouped by a hyphen: 75-858
    • Book number consisting of letters followed by numerals: S1786
    • Book number consisting of letters and a hyphen, followed by numerals: HH-132
    • Book number consisting of letters and a space, followed by numerals: LL 17
    • Book number consisting of numerals followed by letters: 340K
    • Book number consisting of numerals and a hyphen, followed by letters: 81446-X
    • Book number consisting of numerals and a space, followed by letters: 1234 A
    • Book number consisting of numerals, spaces, and hyphens in various combinations: A-253-S-K
    • Book number is different on cover and indicia: record indicia number in this field and cover number in the Issue Number field:
      • this field: 75-858
      • Issue Number field: 8
  • The following types of numbers should continue to be recorded in the Issue Number field, according to the definition for that field:
    • Book has no number and only one issue: [nn]
    • Book has no number but is the second issue of a series: [2]
    • Book number consisting of all numerals, usually less than 3 numerals in length: 44
    • Book number consisting of spelled out number such as "Book Two": 2
    • Book number consisting of a Roman numeral such as "XIV": 14

(end of definition)


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