Composite Atlases
Last content review: 2026-04-08
General Policies
Composite atlases, also known as atlases factices, are compilations of previously issued maps. They are cataloged according to Appendix N of DCRM(C), supplemented by the PCC BIBCO Standard Record (BSR). Newly acquired composite atlases receive a record for the composite atlas as a whole and separate records for each component map. Records are linked together following the Host and Component Bound-With instructions, with the composite atlas record serving as the host record.
This documentation is for cataloging a composite atlas as a whole. Component sheet maps are individually cataloged according to the Sheet Maps documentation.
For guidance on cataloging standard atlases, see Atlases.
The recataloging of composite atlases already held by Beinecke Library will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Fixed Fields
Leader
Record as for a standard atlas.
007
Record as for a standard atlas.
008
Record as for a standard atlas.
0XX Fields
034 (Coded Cartographic Mathematical Data)
Record scale and coordinates based on the 255 field.
043 (Geographic Area Code)
Record as for a standard atlas.
045 (Time Period of Content)
Record as for a standard atlas.
052 (Geographic Classification)
Record as for a standard atlas.
2XX Fields
245 (Title and Statement of Responsibility)
If the atlas has a title page, transcribe the title as for a standard atlas. If the atlas lacks a title page, devise a title following DCRM(C).
255 (Cartographic Mathematical Data)
Follow the option to record comprehensive coordinates for the atlas as a whole when they can be determined.
264 (Publication, Distribution, Production, etc.)
In alignment with the BSR, use the 264 field instead of the 260.
$a: Place of publication. Prefer supplying a place of publication over using [Place of publication not identified].
$b: Name of publisher. Use [publisher not identified] in the absence of transcribed or supplied publisher information.
3XX Fields
300 (Physical description)
$a: Extent. Follow the option to add the statement of extent. In alignment with the BSR, spell out “pages” instead of “p.,” but maintain DCRM(C)'s conventions regarding square brackets.
$b: Other physical details. In alignment with the BSR, spell out “illustrations,” “color,” and “hand colored.”
5XX Fields
Composite atlases are unique, so records do not use local notes; all information is given in copy-general notes.
506 (Restriction on access)
520 (Summary)
Use for the nature and scope note.
Example:
520 _ _ $a Composite atlas of 16th-century Italian maps comprising maps of the world and maps of specific geographic locales arranged according to Ptolomeic geographic order. Many such composite atlases were compiled in the 1500s, with varying contents and compilers. Additional information on Italian composite atlases, as well as a list of maps appearing in know examples, can be found in R.V. Tooley, Maps in Italian atlases of the sixteenth century, in Imago mundi, volume 3, pages 12-47 (1939).
500 (General Notes)
Includes relief, source of title, publication, scale and coordinates, and binding notes.
Source of title example:
500 _ _ $a Title devised by cataloger.
Publication note example:
500 _ _ $a A collection of 42 maps published by the Homann Erben firm, issued between 1710 and 1748, made by various cartographers besides Johann Baptist Homann: Johann Matthias Hase, Tobias Mayer, and Alsonso de Ovalle.
Binding note example:
500 _ _ $a Printed waste used in binding.
561 (Provenance)
Record provenance relating to the entire atlas, such as bookplates or inscriptions on endpapers. Provenance relevant to a single item rather than the entire volume are added to the record for that item only.
505 (Contents)
Do not follow the option to include a contents note.
6XX Fields
650/651 (Subject Headings)
Record as for a standard atlas.
655 (Genre/Form)
Always add at least one genre term. The default term for composite atlases is:
Example:
655 _ 7 $a Composite atlases. $2 lcgft
Add additional genre terms as necessary to bring out the type of maps included in the atlas.
Example:
655 _ 7 $a Nautical charts. $2 lcgft
For further genre/form headings, see the Genre/form term list on the Cartographic Materials page.
7XX Fields
700/710 (Added Entry)
Provide minimal name access in the bibliographic record for the atlas, instead recording information on component map records.
774 (Linking Entry)
Link the component map records to the composite atlas record with 774 fields following the Host and Component Bound-With instructions. After exporting the record to OCLC, revise each $w to replace the MMS ID with the OCLC number for the sheet map.