Originally published in 1930, and based on The Sandars Lectures for 1929–1930, this volume provides a historical study of English book and manuscript collectors from 1530 until the time of publication. The main concentration of the text is on marks of ownership made by various collectors on volumes in their respective collections. Through analysing these marks an unusual perspective is built up, one in which individual books and manuscripts can be seen to tell their own history; an idea of each volume as a unique object with its own pedigree is developed through this process. This is a fascinating volume that will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of books and manuscripts.