L’authority control di stampatori, editori e librai [Versione italiana presentata alla Conferenza internazionale] = Authority control of printers, publishers & booksellers [English version presented at the International Conference]

The whole structure of the FRBR document and, in particular, the concept of manifestazione seems to be somehow influenced by the remarks on the work, title and author made in the 80’s. The functions of publisher, printer and bookseller, in the years of hand printing, seemed to be quite interesting, as well as the way they got connected with the Manifestation. Some years ago it was highlighted that FRBR lays great emphasis on the Manifestation, as it represents a traditional doorway to old books. On the other hand, it has been often argued that the issue of access normalization within old books’ cataloguing seems much more problematic as compared to modern cataloguing. We agree with Mauro Guerrini who complained about the lack of authority files in Italy, including those of the people in charge of publishing, who are closely connected with the manifestation. In other words, to use a more modern language, the publishers, printers and booksellers. Hence, the shape given to their denominations acquires a great importance when this element turns into a stable and fundamental access key to bibliographic information