This book, first published in 1931, first examines the many processes that go to the making of a book – paper, printing, illustration and binding – then lists with running commentary 300 or so important works of reference, and an account of the principles and arrangements of bibliographies.

This book, first published in 1946, provides a summary account, historical and descriptive, which is full enough to be useful for reference and information, and at the same time to bring out the true significance of the collections of the British Museum Library and of the tale of their gathering.