Progress Report
Project Update, 25 June 2012
The French Book Trade in Enlightenment Europe database was published this morning in both its online and downloadable forms.
The website has been updated to reflect this. Work continues trying to develop an API and on other data preservation issues. Future progress will be reported on the blog.
Project Update, 5 January 2012
The French Book Trade in Enlightenment Europe project is now entering its final phase.
Currently all the following has been achieved:
- All data has been entered in the database.
- Completion of taxonomic data (categorisation).
- Completion of data entry for markers of illegality.
- Consolidation of client professional information into larger groups, and translation of client professions into English.
The following work remains to be done:
- Minor corrections in the database (superbooks, categories).
- Interface improvements (fixing bugs or adding new functions).
- Making online instructional material.
Project Update, 25 August 2010
The French Book Trade in Enlightenment Europe project is now entering its final phase of data entry.
Currently all the following has been achieved:
- All data concerning correspondents has been entered in the database. Over 600 'new' clients have been added to the 2,300 in the BPUN's handlist of correspondents.
- Data concerning the STN's correspondents' 516 places of residence is also complete and has been entered into our GIS system.
- Over 4,000 editions of 3,700 'Superbooks' have been entered and collated in the database.
- A total of 9,447 orders comprising 70,717 transactions (sales of one or more copies an edition to a particular client on a certain day) have been entered in the database. Total unit sales recorded exceed 414,000.
- 20.36% of 'Superbooks' accounting for 77.4% of STN sales have subject categories.
- Some indicators of illegal works have been entered.
The following data entry work remains to be done in the database:
- Completion of taxonomic data (categorisation).
- Completion of data entry for markers of illegality.
- Consolidation of client professional information into larger groups, and translation of client professions into English.
- Entering English versions of place names in the database.
It is expected that this work will be completed by the end of the calendar year.
In addition:
- Amyas (Henry) Merivale has developed an impressive on-line data interface, which has numerous search functions and tools, together with a range of imaginative and innovative display functions. Initial feedback at seminars and conferences has been very positive. The interface has been test run by Project board members and used extensively by Simon and Mark in the preparation of conference and seminar presentations. Further functionality will be added in due course.
- Vincent has completed GIS mapping of C18 lower territories and places – and he and Simon have created several GIS maps for use at conference and seminar presentations. These supplement earlier maps created by Mark using Google Earth. Further maps for geographic zones and other territorial groupings will be developed in the autumn. It is not yet clear whether it will be possible to include a mapping function in the on-line interface.
- Simon and Mark have undertaken a punishing schedule of Seminars and Conferences to publicise the project, giving 10 papers in 8 cities between mid-April and mid-August.
- Book proposals are now under consideration for the main findings of the project.
