The dispersal of the library amassed by George Spencer-Churchill (1766–1840), Marquess of Blandford and later fifth Duke of Marlborough, is most commonly cited today as a preservative against folly. The collection contained some of the most sought-after incunabula of a period defined by the high prices paid for early printed books. It included a fine selection of Caxtons, spectacular botanical and emblem books, and the iconic Valdarfer Boccaccio - the first edition of the Decameron, purchased by Blandford in 1812 for the unprecedented sum of £2,260. The Boccaccio was symptomatic of the profligate expenditure of its buyer. By 1819 his spendthrift ways had ruined him, leading to the sale of his opulent estate at Whiteknights, near Reading, and the dispersal of one of the key libraries in the era of bibliomania. Reissued here together are the two parts of the auction catalogue, both annotated by an auction attendee who recorded details of the purchasers and the prices paid. Ed Potten, Head of Rare Books at Cambridge University Library, has provided a new introduction that places the catalogue in its wider context.

The library of the literary scholar Richard Farmer (1735–97) was first and foremost a working reference collection, the books acquired not as treasures, but to be read and appreciated. Farmer's library included all four Shakespeare folios and was remarkable for its Elizabethan literature and black letter, which provided the source material for his scholarly work. Notable acquaintances such as Samuel Johnson, George Steevens, Edmond Malone and Isaac Reed all benefitted from Farmer's knowledge, and Thomas Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry drew directly on the library itself. In 1798, Farmer's books were sold at an auction attended by many of the next generation's greatest book collectors. Reissued here is a copy of the catalogue featuring handwritten annotations by an anonymous attendee who recorded the prices paid and the names of many buyers, uniquely capturing the dispersal of one of the eighteenth century's great libraries.

The dispersal in 1812 of the library of John Ker, Duke of Roxburghe (1740–1804) was the bibliographical event of the decade and a key moment in 'bibliomania'. The huge collection contained illuminated medieval manuscripts, incunabula, fifteen books printed by Caxton, and all four Shakespeare folios. The sale, orchestrated by the bookseller and auctioneer Robert Harding Evans (1777–1857), attracted the greatest book collectors and dealers of the day, setting new records. For the first time in British auction history a single book fetched more than £1,000, while the Valdarfer Boccaccio, the first edition of the Decameron, sold for £2,260. Reported in The Times, the sale immediately gained mythological status. Reissued together here are the printed catalogue and its supplement, both annotated by an attendee at the auction who recorded the name of every buyer and the price paid for each book. Ed Potten, Head of Rare Books at Cambridge University Library, has provided a new introduction that places the catalogue in its wider context.

Published in 1896 at the peak of his career, this work by Walter Crane (1845–1915) was developed from a series of lectures given to the Society of Arts in 1889. Although chiefly remembered as an illustrator of books for children, Crane was a versatile and knowledgeable artist and designer. His practical experience with book illustration and printing methods gives this text the weight of considerable authority. A prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts movement alongside William Morris, he demonstrates here his understanding of historical techniques of illustration since the medieval period. Drawing parallels across the ages, Crane notes in particular how Arts and Crafts aesthetics influenced book illustration in the late Victorian era. Featuring copious reproductions of illustrations ranging in date, style, technique and sophistication, this work reflects Crane's artistic ethos through the exploration of many examples of exquisite craftsmanship.

The library of the physician Anthony Askew (1722–72) was outstanding in both printed books and manuscripts. He may have failed in his ambition to secure a complete collection of every printed edition of the Greek classics, but he did amass a classical library which remained unsurpassed until Spencer. Although he was later accused of plagiarism, virtually every edition of Aeschylus down to the 1850s cited 'Askew's collations'. He also secured Richard Mead's fine collection of Latin and Greek manuscripts, alongside other early classical codices from the Maffei library. The dispersal of Askew's collection in two sales, ten years apart, attracted international interest. Bidders at the 1775 book sale included George III, while the manuscript sale in 1785 led to acquisitions by the British Museum, the Bodleian and Cambridge University Library. Now reissued together, the sale catalogues have been annotated here by auction attendees who recorded prices and some purchaser details.

The library of the chandler John Ratcliffe (1707–76) was amassed before the onset of 'bibliomania', and perfectly illustrates the last days of a period of book collecting when scholars and commoners could hope to compete with wealthy noblemen. The collection contained over a hundred incunabula, including forty-eight Caxtons, and a fine selection of sixteenth-century English books, alongside contemporary literature and Presbyterian tracts. Many of Ratcliffe's incunabula had been purchased from James West, others from Anthony Askew. In turn, his books were acquired by a circle of his contemporaries, including William Herbert, Charles Chauncy and William Hunter. However, the purchase of some of the finest books by the aristocratic Justin MacCarthy Reagh provided a hint of what was to come. Reissued here is James Christie's 1776 sale catalogue, featuring handwritten annotations by an attendee at the auction who recorded the prices paid and the names of buyers.

Lawyer, book collector and friend of Sir Walter Scott, James Maidment (1793–1879) displayed a talent for antiquarian research. Many of his works were printed privately in small quantities, such as the present publication, which first appeared in 1837. Established in 1812 and named after the great eighteenth-century book collector, the Roxburghe Club remains the oldest and most distinguished society of bibliophiles in the world. Joseph Haslewood (1769–1833), respected as an editor of early English literature, was a founder member and enjoyed the club's tradition of informal fun alongside more serious business. After his death, his manuscript account of these early activities, Roxburghe Revels, was unaccountably included in the sale of his books; extracts and critical comments on Haslewood and the club subsequently appeared in The Athenaeum in 1834. Maidment then prepared this defence, presenting and discussing his friend's remarks. The appendices include a biographical sketch of Haslewood.

Philip Gaskell (1926–2001) acknowledges in his Preface that 'one period in the history of one college library may not seem much of a subject for a book', but, as his 1980 study shows, Trinity College Library has a history well worth investigating. Gaskell, a former Librarian and Fellow of Trinity College, details how this library grew from small beginnings in the mid-sixteenth century into arguably the greatest of all Oxford and Cambridge college libraries. He links the growth of the library to the intellectual life of the college at that time, outlining the achievements of a number of eminent Trinity men in advancing England's spiritual, intellectual and scientific development: Cartwright, Whitgift, Coke, Bacon, Essex, George Herbert, Ray, Barrow and Newton. This is a fascinating insight into the early history and accumulation of a college library now outstandingly rich both in contents and in setting.

Donald Francis McKenzie (1931–1999) was one of the foremost bibliographers of the twentieth century, and his contributions to the history of the book continue to exert great influence on the field. Early in his career, he made a detailed study of the archives of Cambridge University Press, focusing on the period 1696–1712. In the course of his research, McKenzie discovered quite different working practices and patterns from what had previously been assumed, and this two-volume book, published in 1966, revolutionized the study of printing history. The discoveries described here were the foundation of much of McKenzie's subsequent work as he applied his findings from this specific case study to the world of early modern printing in general. Volume 1 outlines the Press' organization, operations and finance during this period. Volume 2 contains transcriptions of the minutes of the Press's governing Curators, the Press' accounts, bills and receipts.

Donald Francis McKenzie (1931–1999) was one of the foremost bibliographers of the twentieth century, and his contributions to the history of the book continue to exert great influence on the field. Early in his career, he made a detailed study of the archives of Cambridge University Press, focusing on the period 1696–1712. In the course of his research, McKenzie discovered quite different working practices and patterns from what had previously been assumed, and this two-volume book, published in 1966, revolutionized the study of printing history. The discoveries described here were the foundation of much of McKenzie's subsequent work as he applied his findings from this specific case study to the world of early modern printing in general. The second volume consists of transcriptions of the minutes of the Press' governing Curators (now referred to as the Syndics), the Press' accounts, bills and receipts.

Donald Francis McKenzie (1931–1999) was one of the foremost bibliographers of the twentieth century, and his contributions to the history of the book continue to exert great influence on the field. Early in his career, he made a detailed study of the archives of Cambridge University Press, focusing on the period 1696–1712. In the course of his research, McKenzie discovered quite different working practices and patterns from what had previously been assumed, and this two-volume book, published in 1966, revolutionized the study of printing history. Volume 1 outlines the Press' operation during this period: how it was organized, what buildings it built and occupied, who worked for it, what the state of its finances were and how it went about publishing and printing its own books as well as printing for others. Appendices list the books printed between 1696 and 1712 and the type and ornaments used.

J. C. T. Oates began work at Cambridge University Library in 1936. During his long, scholarly career, which included serving as president of the Bibliographical Societies of London and Cambridge, he did much to further research at the University Library. In 1954 he published this catalogue of the fifteenth-century printed books, which were not included in the main library catalogues. The catalogue lists over 4250 items, with detailed information for those not already described in other publications, and gives references to such information where it already existed. The fifteenth-century material is listed by place of publication, and is indexed by author, title if anonymous, printer, and former owners and autographs. Although modern catalogues of incunabula are now available online, Oates' catalogue is the only one allowing readers to locate items held by the Library from the earliest days of printing, and is still an important tool for researchers.

J. C. T. Oates began work at Cambridge University Library in 1936. During his long, scholarly career, which included serving as president of the Bibliographical Societies of London and Cambridge, he did much to further research at the University Library. In 1954 he published this catalogue of the fifteenth-century printed books, which were not included in the main library catalogues. The catalogue lists over 4250 items, with detailed information for those not already described in other publications, and gives references to such information where it already existed. The fifteenth-century material is listed by place of publication, and is indexed by author, title if anonymous, printer, and former owners and autographs. Although modern catalogues of incunabula are now available online, Oates' catalogue is the only one allowing readers to locate items held by the Library from the earliest days of printing, and is still an important tool for researchers.

M. R. James (1862–1936) is probably best remembered as a writer of chilling ghost stories, but he was an outstanding scholar of medieval literature and palaeography, who served as Provost of King's College, Cambridge, and Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, and later became Provost of Eton College. His detailed descriptive catalogues of manuscripts owned by colleges, cathedrals and museums are still of value to scholars today. James worked with the Lambeth Librarian Claude Jenkins on this catalogue, first published in five parts between 1930 and 1932, of the important manuscript collection begun by Archbishop Bancroft in the early seventeenth century. Building on James' handlist of medieval manuscripts in the library, published in 1900 and also reissued in this series, it gives full descriptions of the manuscripts including their contents, decoration, provenance and history. Volume 2 of this reissue contains Parts 4–5, covering manuscripts 358–576 and 36 others.

M. R. James (1862–1936) is probably best remembered as a writer of chilling ghost stories, but he was an outstanding scholar of medieval literature and palaeography, who served as Provost of King's College, Cambridge, and later as Provost of Eton. His detailed descriptive catalogues of manuscripts owned by colleges, cathedrals and museums are still sought after by scholars today. This catalogue, originally published in 1932, describes just over 80 medieval manuscripts. Thirty of them, mostly later medieval works on canon law or the history of Aberdeen, came to the library from King's College. The remainder, many from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and regarded as more important by James, belong to the Marischal College collection, which originated in a 1624 bequest and contains several manuscripts formerly owned by St Paul's Cathedral, London. James describes their structure, content, provenance and decoration, and the book is illustrated by 27 plates.

B. H. Streeter (1874–1937) was an Oxford theologian and biblical scholar. From 1915 to 1934 he was a canon of Hereford Cathedral, which is famous for its medieval chained library. Books were rare and precious items in the middle ages, and were frequently chained to the bookshelf and read on the lectern below to prevent unauthorised removal. Streeter's researches during the Hereford library's restoration led to the publication in 1931 of this illustrated study of early English libraries. It examines in detail the arrangement of libraries from medieval times to the eighteenth century, focusing on cathedral, college and parish libraries in England. Examining their floor plans, the form of their desks, shelves and seating arrangement, Streeter identifies distinct variations in design. Libraries are working buildings, and alter over time with the needs of their users, but Streeter's wide-ranging expertise allows him to reconstruct their earlier configurations.

M. R. James (1862–1936) is probably best remembered as a writer of chilling ghost stories, but he was an outstanding scholar of medieval literature and palaeography, who served as Provost of King's College, Cambridge, and Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, and later became Provost of Eton College. His detailed descriptive catalogues of manuscripts owned by colleges, cathedrals and museums are still of value to scholars today. James worked with the Lambeth Librarian Claude Jenkins on this catalogue, first published in five parts between 1930 and 1932, of the important manuscript collection begun by Archbishop Bancroft in the early seventeenth century. Building on James' handlist of medieval manuscripts in the library, published in 1900 and also reissued in this series, it gives full descriptions of the manuscripts including their contents, decoration, provenance and history. Volume 1 of this two-volume reissue contains Parts 1–3, covering manuscripts 1–357.

M. R. James (1862–1936), best remembered today for his ghost stories, was Provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). In these memoirs, he tells the story of the times he spent at the two prestigious institutions, providing a vibrant account of the people and experiences that characterised them. Beginning with his first impressions of Eton as a boy, he lends a unique insight into the school, moving on to recount with affection his scholarly and teaching careers in both these 'royal and religious foundations'. Ghosts and games, choirs and Christmases, and dramas and dons are all recalled in vivid detail, creating a colourful picture of academic life during the early twentieth century and the First World War. Anecdotal, touching and often humorous, James' recollections reveal his role in both intellectual and social life at these famous institutions, and his dedication and allegiance to them.

M. R. James (1862–1936), best known as a writer of chilling ghost stories, was an outstanding scholar of medieval literature and palaeography, who served both as Provost of King's College, Cambridge, and as Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum. His detailed descriptive catalogues of manuscripts owned by colleges, cathedrals and museums are still of value to scholars today. This two-volume catalogue, first published in 1921, was commissioned as the fourth in a series of guides to the collection of Oriental and Western manuscripts in the John Rylands Library. It describes 183 Latin rolls and codices dating from the sixth to the nineteenth century, their material, dimensions, structure, provenance, decoration and content. Volume 1 contains the text, and Volume 2 consists of 187 plates, illustrating a wide range of scripts, decorations and covers. James' book is still sought after and this reissue will be welcomed by librarians and researchers alike.

M. R. James (1862–1936) is probably best remembered as a writer of chilling ghost stories, but he was an outstanding scholar of medieval literature and palaeography, who served both as Provost of King's College, Cambridge, and as Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, and many of his stories reflect his academic background. His detailed descriptive catalogues of manuscripts owned by colleges, cathedrals and museums are still of value to scholars today. First published in 1929, this book lists over 300 separate volumes which were part of the library of Peterborough Abbey before the Dissolution. James reconstructs this list from sources including lists of books bequeathed to the Abbey, ancient catalogues, and extant books which can be identified as belonging to the library in the medieval period. He also provides a short analysis of his sources. Now reissued, this book will be welcomed by librarians and researchers alike.