A Bibliography of Communication Theory. [Together with a second bibliography, listing variant titles and ordered chronologically.]

SHANNON, Claude.

Published by [No place or publisher:] 14 Oct. 1949 & [c.1951]

About this Item

Two typewritten bibliographies on information theory by the founder of the discipline, both unpublished, the only set found in Shannon's personal files. The first bibliography, split into two sections ("Communication Theory" and "Some Collateral References"), comprises works that are published, "in press", and unpublished. It dates from shortly after the appearance of Shannon's foundational paper "A Mathematical Theory of Communication" (1948; published in book form in 1949). Shannon remarks that the bibliography "aims at being reasonably complete with regard to papers dealing directly with the subject" but qualifies that many of those included "are of extremely poor quality". He includes six of his own works, two of which are listed as forthcoming: "Memory Requirements in a Telephone Exchange" (1950) and "The Entropy of Printed English" (1951, under a slightly adapted title). The references described as "collateral" cover related subjects such as cryptanalysis, game theory, mathematics, and speech. The second bibliography contains 68 items organized within five date ranges; the focus is slightly different, foregrounding historical sequence and including different topics like linguistics. Not in Origins of Cyberspace or Sloane & Wyner. Two mimeographed typescripts, quarto (277 x 214 mm and 279 x 216 mm respectively), typewritten on rectos only. The first: ff. 5, stapled upper left, closing "C. E. Shannon October 14, 1949". The second: ff. [4], stapled middle left, with sections headed "1928-1947", "1948", "1949", "1950", and "1951". From the personal files of Claude Shannon, unmarked as such, accompanied by a typed letter signed from his literary executor regarding the provenance. Toned, first leaves browned in margins, the second bibliography lightly creased horizontally from folding, two small holes upper left from staple sometime removed. Both in very good condition overall.

Seller Inventory # 159680

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Bibliography of Communication Theory. [Together with a second bibliography, listing variant titles and ordered chronologically.]
• Publisher: [No place or publisher:] 14 Oct. 1949 & [c.1951]