----------------------------Original message----------------------------
The following message is forwarded from Andrew Eskind,
editor of "Photographers on Disk":
"Photographers on Disc..." is not yet reality!!!
As its editor, I am delighted to see some buzz a'generating.
As a PHOTOHST subscriber, I'm happy to respond (although it's
tempting to sit back and see what rumors percolate up thru
the cyper world).
"Photographers on Disc..." is just now in production forthcoming
from G.K. Hall - the June announced publication date might better
read August.
It is based on the 3 'authority' files which form the backbone of
the cataloging system shared by George Eastman House and Harry Ransom
Humanities Research Center at U Texas, Austin. (and available via
TELNET free of charge).
The authority files are:
1. Photographers/creators of photographs
2. Institutions which collect and/or exhibit photographs
3. Exhibitions of photographs within 'museum' contexts (as
opposed to commercial galleries).
Each authority file is the basis of an index. The Photographers'
Index branches from factual data about each photographer to institutions
reporting holdings of that photographer's work and/or to exhibitions
in which he/she participated (generally within his/her own lifetime).
The Institution Index branches from factual data about each institution
to a list of photographers whose work is held at that institution and/or
a chronology of photography exhibitions sponsored or held at that institution.
The Exhibition Index is a chronology of 3500 photographic exhibitions
1839-1996 including limited factual data about each exhibition but branching
to lists of photographers who participated.
The CD-ROM is thus an extract of the on-line collections' catalog - everything
EXCEPT the catalog records.
It is a major enlargement of GK Hall's print edition "Index of American
Photographic Collections" (1995).
One function the CD-ROM serves which is more problematic with the on-line
edition is that it represents a tangible, referencable entity. By contract,
the on-line edition is constantly changing - gaps getting filled in, mistakes
(hopefully) being found and corrected. Thus, it is a slippery source to cite
(although you are welcome to do so). Each authority file includes bib
references to secondary as well as primary sources from which factual
information has been gleaned and confirmed.
The CD-ROM will be available from G.K. Hall for $ 475.00.
Depending on how well it sells, there could be future editions.
I'll be glad to provide more specifics if readers wish.
The CD-ROM "Photographers on Disc" is one component of a project supported
by grants from National Endowment for the Humanities, Pew Charitable Trusts,
and Getty Grant Program.
Andrew Eskind
George Eastman House
