Shannon, C. E. [Claude Elwood]

A Bibliography of Communication Theory [two mimeographed versions]

[no place of publication stated]: [no publisher stated] October 14, 1949 ; [circa 1951]. 10 7/8 x 8 3/8 inches. Two sets of stapled mimeographed typescripts, each a separate bibliography.

The first typescript is titled "A Bibliography of Communication Theory" and contains five leaves, paginated [1]-5, printed on recto only. Sorted by the author, it is composed of two parts, "Communication Theory" (pages [1]-4, items 1-40) and the second part labeled "Some Collateral References" (pages 4-5, numbered C1-C20). Signed and dated in type "C. E. Shannon, October 14, 1949" on page five. Several papers are noted as "in press" or "unpublished." Shannon notes: "The following bibliography is divided into two parts: a) communication theory, which aims at being reasonably complete with regard to papers dealing directly with the subject (many of those included are of extremely poor quality), and b) collateral references, containing a few useful works on related subjects; mathematical background, modulation and noise, cryptography, etc."

The second typescript, while unsigned, was in the same folder in Shannon's files, so we've kept them together. This bibliography contains 68 items on four leaves, is not paginated, and does not have a stated title. It is organized by date range (1928-1947; 1948; 1949; 1950; and 1951) and within each date range by the author. The intended focus must have been different - Nyquist's important 1924 and 1928 papers are not present - but the list does include other topic areas like Linguistics.

To our knowledge, both bibliographies are unpublished. It would not surprise us to find them as an uncredited appendix in another work. If anyone is aware of any publication history, please let us know. Good. Wraps. [28577]


PROVENANCE: The personal files of Claude E. Shannon (unmarked). The only set in Shannon's files.

REFERENCES:
NOT IN Sloane and Wyner, "Claude Elwood Shannon Collected Papers"

ITEM SOLD