Week 1
For this brief “Methods of cataloging” I choose the Harvard Library collection of American currency. This collection has more than over one thousand pieces but I decided to narrow the set and chose one that was produced after the Civil War.
My first step was to look at all of 80 pieces and organize them in a map with 4 categories. ‘Ornamented | Simple & Illustrations | No illustrations’. That categorization was very useful because it allowed me to identify the main elements as well as the main differences of the main collection.
Based on that filter I identify 3 main styles of bills which are: 1. Simple and typographic 2. Opulent with pictorial elements 3. The back of the bills had patterns.
Regardless of the differences, they had the following similar aspects:
| Frame | Description | Location | Number | Multiple fonts |
| Value | Ornaments | Signature | Portraits | Series number |
| IllustrationsAlegories | Recto/verso | Paper | 1|2 inks |
To understand better the whole collection this answering the following questions was helpful:
| Similarities | Differences |
| Material | Visual elements like Typography, ink, paper color, |
| Printing method | Simple/Refined |
| Rigid Layout | Values (5,10, 20, 50) |
| Formal elements (numbers, illustrations, text, signatures) | Origin. Where are they from? |
| Important symbolism in the elements (Illustrations). | Decorations: Simple, flat, Elaborate, elegant, figurative, and tell a story. |
| Production technic. | Fonts |
| Use/Purpose |
How are they held together, both formally and conceptually?
- Formal: They are held together by a layout (3 columns 2 narrow columns at the sides 1 wider column at the center). The design is opulent, evident from the Victorian era. They not only carry numerical/wealth value, but they also carry identity, norms, history, wealth, stories, and the idiosyncrasy of a territory (nation and state).
- Relation
Is there an identifiable ‘grammar’ within the system? (From left to right)
- 1 or two inks
- Rigid horizontal layout
- Frame. Simple or ornamented
- The left column must contain– value, pattern, illustration
- The Center must contain the Name of the bank or city or image.
- The bottom must contain the Signature of the president.
- The right column must contain– value, pattern, and illustration.
Opulent visual resources. Calligraphical and geometrical ornaments.
Every element is composed of fine lines: They create complex traces, figures, volumes, and shades.
Color pallet: Black, beige. Additional colors: Red, blue, and green.
Illustrations: Must be realistic.
Opulent typography for value, bank, and city.
What patterns are visible across the set?
- The same layout.
- Images
- Typography
- Geometrical elements.
How is it presented, circulated, or accessed?
Scanner, virtual images | Imprint, physical, hand to hand, transaction.
APPLYING METHODS OF CATALOGUING
After exploring and applying these methods of cataloging what interested me the most is the illustrative aspects of the currency. There is an expression of culture, traditions, identity, and history imprinted in these pieces of paper that carry value and representative wealth. They show the idiosyncrasy of the American people during XVII. I think I want to explore more this style. What narratives can I get from these elements? What narratives can I generate?
Also, I think that the craftmanship of designing these bills is beautiful. The illustrations and the typography show the opulence and culture during the Victorian era.