Citation Analytic study of Gunnar Erdtman's major works on palynology

Science citation index in its various cumulations for 1955 through 1986 has 1909 citations of Gunnar Erdtman's palynological works. His 1952 book, including its 1966 and 1971 reprints and its 1956 Russian translation, received 653 citations. Next are his 1943 pollen analysis book, including its 1954 reprint, with 172 citations, and his 1969 palynology handbook, with 146 citations. Volumes 2-4 of An introduction to palynology have collectively 150 citations, whereas the two volumes on the Scandinavian pollen flora have collectively 129 citations. Erdtman's most cited article is his 1960 paper on the acetolysis method, with 158 citations. All his other 223 books and articles (1920-73) have only a handful of citations each, collectively 501 citations for 1955-86 citing works. In the literature there are various bibliographic inaccuracies involving Erdtman's works. The 1952 book was cited 131 times as 1966 or 1971, usually without mention that a 1952-vintage book had been reprinted. In addition, “G. Erdtman” has been misspelled 11 different ways in 64 citations.