In general, the CONSER standard Records (CSR) will contain a date of publication (362) and a Description based on and Latest issue consulted note depending on whether the issue is in hand, the information is known, or the information is unknown. For CONSER and RDA, the cataloger need not always have the first or last issue in hand to record certain information. As long as the information is known or ascertainable from a RDA authorized source of information. (CCM:8.1.1)
The first issue and a later issue in hand:
362 1# $a Began with: Volume 1, no. 1 (May 2011).
588 0# $a Volume 1, no. 1 (May 2011); title from caption.
588 1# $a Volume 3, no. 1 (May 2013).
The first issue is not in hand, information about when the serial began is unknown (no 362 1#):
264 #1 $a New York : $b Anchor Books
588 0# $a Number 3 (July 2013); title from cover.
588 1# $a Number 3 (July 2013).
The first issue is not in hand but information about when the serial began is known:
362 1# $a Began in 2001.
588 0# $a Vol. 4 (2004); title from cover.
588 1# $a Vol. 13 (2013).
The last issue is known but not in hand, information about the first issue is unknown:
362 1# $a Ceased with no. 12, published in 2013.
588 0# $a No. 2, published in 2003; title from cover.
588 1# $a No. 10, published in 2011.