Manuscript Book Lists

Other evidence linking owners and their books can be found in estate inventories, bequests, booksellers' catalogues, auction records, and private library catalogues carefully written by proud or compulsive owners.

Sir William More (1643-1684)

Sir William More, bart. Catalogue of the More Family Library. 1673/4.

An oval stamp in the left-hand margin of the first page indicates that this catalogue of books is part of the Losely manuscript collection, now at the Folger Library. 512 books in this list belonged to Sir William More, baronet, of Losely Park, Guildford, England. The cover of the book list is in the hand of More's nephew, Robert More (d. 1689), the last male heir.

Cover, "A catalogue of my bookes Robert More" L.b. 709 ©

Percy J. Dobell

Percy J. Dobell. Books from Dryden's Library, 1939.

After taking his degree from Oxford, Percy Dobell joined his father in the book trade, operating three large antiquarian shops in London, Guilford, and Tunbridge Wells. Using business connections, his scouts, and his own frequent presence in the auction rooms gave Dobell an inside track on almost every unique or rare Dryden item that came to market. What today might strike us as a conflict of interest resulted in the finest Dryden collection in the world.