Client Data Source
This option menu is only intended for use when conducting searches on client networks (as opposed to book trade transactions). It relates to the source of data on clients, which is more or less comprehensive according to where it comes from.
data source
nature of the data
why switch it off
MS 1000A These clients were all correspondents of the STN, and have left a documentary record in the STN archives. This record almost always consists in letters sent to the STN, but occasionally includes other documents such as contracts. Most data on these clients comes from MS 1000A, but occasionally supplementary data has been found and added from the BPUN’s card catalogue of the STN archive. It should be noted that although the STN traded until 1794, there is almost no correspondence from after 1788 in the archive.
Data on clients taken from this source are consistent and comprehensive (and enriched by Card Index data). There are no data integrity issues in using it, and it has formed the basis for previous scholars’ studies of STN networks. The only reason for turning this option off would be to test the nature of the data available from the other sources listed here. For all other uses it should be kept switched on.
Card Index These clients are included in the card index, but their names are missing from MS 1000A. They too were true ‘correspondents’ of the STN, and the documentary records they have left match those of clients in MS 1000A.
Data on clients taken from this source are consistent and comprehensive. There are no data integrity issues in using it, and it has formed the basis for previous scholars’ studies of STN networks. The only reason for turning this option off would be to test the nature of the data available from the other sources listed here. For all other uses it should be kept switched on.
Index to Copies des Lettres These are clients whose names and data are not found in the Card Index or MS 1000A, and whose data are taken from the indexes to the surviving individual volumes of the STN’s out-letters.
These source data are not comprehensive (they are taken from the STN’s out correspondence volumes, of which only about half have survived) and only record that the STN wrote to a client. A small subset of these clients were involved in book transactions and out-letters, indicating that others had business dealings with the STN, but in other cases there is no evidence that these clients ever received these letters or replied to the STN. Further, data from the out-letters themselves have not been examined or incorporated into the database. Some queries – especially those of a statistical nature aimed at establishing the STN’s known client networks - may wish to exclude client data from this source.
Manuscript Data Data on these clients have been discovered in the STN manuscripts and added to the database where relevant. Unlike the other categories of client, where every record in the source data has been recorded, data have only been collected from manuscripts on clients involved in book transactions (whether as book suppliers, book purchasers, agents or middlemen). Clients mentioned in these sources but who provided the STN only with other goods or services are thus not included.
These data have been added to the database on an ad hoc basis and only include new clients relevant to this study. Certain professions are therefore privileged. In addition, for reasons of data structure, place data from this source are derived from transactions. Some professional data are also derived or taken from other sources. Including data from this source will therefore introduce statistical biases into certain queries.
Unknown Clients, Paying Cash This pseudo-client, under the name ‘unknown clients, paying cash’ amalgamates all sales made to unknown clients at the STN’s trade counter in Neuchâtel. (N.B. All counter sales that were made to named clients are recorded under the names of those clients.)
While useful for analyzing the local market in Neuchâtel, this pseudo-client may distort certain forms of analysis, primarily because ‘he’ amalgamates an unknown number of persons and their sales. Users may therefore wish to exclude him from many data queries or interrogate his book purchases separately from all other clients. In addition, counter sales are not recorded in all documentary sources used for this study, so the chronological pattern of his sales is in part determined by source availability. Again, this may be a reason to exclude him. (N.B. The option of excluding this client also exists through the Client Type option.)
