What is a music publisher number?

A music publisher number, also known as a plate number or matrix number, is a number assigned by the publisher, used for sound recordings, printed music, other music-related materials, and video recordings. It is useful for identifying specific editions of a printed musical work or releases of a sound or video recording, and is sometimes used to estimate publication dates (see IMSLP's list of music publishers for more information).

Use the Advanced Search in HOLLIS and select Music Pub No from the search filter drop down as shown in this example.

Email the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library for advice on using music publisher numbers.

Service Alert:
  • Ask a Librarian, including chat and email, will be suspended from 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 22, through Monday, January 2, for the holiday break. Any questions received during this period will be answered beginning Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
  • If If you're experiencing an ongoing technical issue when you attempt to access library materials with your HarvardKey during these times, please report it to Library Technology Services.

Chat

 

Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm

Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm

Sunday 12noon-7pm

Chat is intended for brief inquiries from the Harvard community.

Meet

Talk to a librarian for advice on defining your topic, developing your research strategy, and locating and using sources. Make an appointment now.

These services are intended primarily for Harvard University faculty, staff and students. If you are not affiliated with Harvard, please use these services only to request information about the Library and its collections.