Catalogue of the New-York State Library ...: Catalogue of the New-York state library: 1856 ; Maps, Manuscripts, Engravings, Coins, etc

The 1856 Catalogue of the New-York State Library was compiled during a period of significant institutional expansion for the library, which had been established in 1818 to serve the New York State Legislature and the judiciary. By the mid-19th century, the collection had grown rapidly, necessitating comprehensive printed guides to assist trustees and scholars in navigating its diverse holdings, which ranged from legal statutes and historical records to an eclectic array of maps, engravings, and numismatic specimens.

Produced under the oversight of the library's trustees, this specific volume serves as a structured taxonomy of the institution's non-book assets. The design adheres to the rigorous bibliographic standards of the era, reflecting an administrative effort to bring order to a sprawling archive. Its publication was well-received by contemporary scholars as a vital reference tool, providing a detailed snapshot of the intellectual and cultural property maintained by the state of New York at the height of the antebellum period.