Catalogue of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books from the Libraries of William Morris, Richard Bennett, Bertram, Fourth Earl of Ashburnam, and Other Sources: Now Forming Portion of the Library of J. Pierpont Morgan

Commissioned by J. Pierpont Morgan in the early 20th century, this multi-volume catalogue was created to document and organize the monumental collections he acquired, most notably the library of Richard Bennett and substantial portions of William Morris’s collection. Published between 1906 and 1907, the set serves as an exhaustive bibliographical record intended for the scholarly community and private bibliophiles, reflecting Morgan's ambition to rival the greatest institutional libraries of the world.

The production of the catalogue was overseen by the esteemed bibliographer and scholar S.C. Cockerell, who had been a close associate of William Morris. The design adheres to the high aesthetic standards associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, featuring exquisite typography and high-quality plates that showcase the illumination and craftsmanship of the medieval and early modern volumes within Morgan's possession. Upon its release, it was received as a landmark of private cataloging, praised for its scholarly rigor and as a testament to the preservation of significant historical codices and incunabula.