Finding Aid Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are commonly used in finding aids. Most of these are used to identify the type of document being listed.
The term "author" refers to the individual who signed a document. He or she is generally considered to be the author of any document text.
Document Types
- ALS
- Autograph Letter Signed
- This document type is entirely handwritten by the author
- LS
- Letter Signed
- This is signed by the author, but the body of the document is handwritten by someone else.
- AL
- Autograph Letter
- Handwritten, but without a signature
- TLS
- Typed Letter Signed
- ANS
- Autograph Note Signed
- This is the same as an ALS, but shorter
- ADS
- Autograph Document Signed
- This is normally a legal or public document entirely handwritten by the author
- DS
- Document Signed
- This is also usually a legal or public document, but the text is handwritten by someone else
- TDS
- Typed Document Signed
- Same as an ADS, but with the text typed rather than handwritten
- NS
- Note Signed
- A short message signed by the author, but with the text handwritten by someone else
- AMS
- Autograph Manuscript Signed
- This type of document is entirely handwritten by the author
- MS
- Manuscript Signed
- Same as an AMS, but with the text handwritten by someone else
- TMS
- Typed Manuscript Signed
- Same as an AMS, but with the text typed
- AQS
- Autograph Quotation Signed
- Often a poetry excerpt or other memorable statement entirely handwritten by the author
- AES
- Autograph Endorsement Signed
- An endorsement handwritten entirely by the author, usually on the verso or margin of another letter
- PS
- Photograph Signed
- IPS
- Inscribed Photograph Signed
- Same as a PS, but it also includes a dedication handwritten by the author
- AMuQS
- Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
- A passage from a musical score entirely handwritten by the author
- AMuQ
- Autograph Musical Quotation
- Same as a AMuQS, but without a signature
- MuQS
- Musical Quotation Signed
- A passage from a musical score signed, but with the musical notes or lyrics written by someone else
Other Abbreviations
- n.y.
- No year
- n.d.
- No date (month and day)
- n.p.
- No place
- s.l.
- No place
- For the Latin "sine loco", which means "without location"
- pp.
- Pages
updated: Wednesday, 05-Jul-2006 11:33:03 EDT