n 86844500 for Georg Josef Beer, 1763-1821 is already
a pretty complex authority, but I noticed a complication related to this author
in a work I cataloged. On the title page, his name is given as Joseph G. Beer.
I am guessing this might be a printer’s error in this particular edition.
However, there are actually two publishers, Wappler and Kaiserer, who give it
as Joseph G. Beer in 1790-91. A number of records transcribe it that way. It
seems there’s something of a tendency to make it Georg Joseph (or Josef)
the later a work is. My main question is: should I add Beer, Joseph G., 1763-1821
as a see reference on this authority?
I think the probability is extremely low of this being two
different people. In reference sources, he always seems to be called Georg
Joseph (or Josef).
I’ve noticed that Dutch and German catalogers, with
their different rules, often set the heading up exactly as it is on the piece,
and sometimes abbreviate Joseph to Jos.
Ted Gemberling
UAB Lister Hill Library
(205)934-2461