Citation of a Manuscript: Advice
A first reference to a manuscript should include the following information:
- Details of the repository/library/archives/collections where the manuscript is. This should include:
- The location of the repository (followed by a comma)
- The name of the repository (followed by a comma)
- The name or reference number of the manuscript (in full, typically preceded by MS, followed by a comma)
- Folio or page numbers (preceded by 'fol.'/'fols' or 'p.'/'pp.', followed by a full stop)
For instance:
Cambridge, Trinity College, MS 0.9.38, fol. 72v.
Or:
New York, Pierpont Morgan Library, MS M.126, fol. 4r.
Or:
London, National Archives, MS SC 8/199/9925.
Pages and Folios
For many manuscripts, we cite folio rather than page numbers. While a single leaf in a modern printed book has two page numbers (one for the front and one for the reverse of the leaf), a leaf (or folio) in a manuscript has a single folio number. The front and back are distinguished by the letters r and v: r for recto (the front), and v for verso (the reverse). Folio numbers are given in the form: 17v or 160r. Note that the 'v' and 'r' abbreviations do not take a full stop. Not all MSS will have a folio number: some will be paginated, while others might just be a single sheet (such as SC 8/199/9925 above).
