The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature: Containing an Account of Rare, Curious, and Useful Books, Published in Or Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, from the Invention of Printing; with Bibliographical and Critical Notices, Collations of the Rarer Articles, and the Prices at which They Have Been Sold in the Present Century

First published in the early 19th century, William Thomas Lowndes's The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature was designed to serve as a comprehensive index for scholars and collectors of English printed works. Lowndes, a dedicated bibliographer, spent years compiling this resource to track rare, curious, and useful books produced since the invention of the printing press in Britain and Ireland. The work was intended to provide a methodical survey, offering essential details such as publication dates, collations of pages, and historical sales prices to help enthusiasts navigate the burgeoning antiquarian book market.

The manual was widely recognized upon its release as a monumental achievement in British bibliography, effectively standardizing how collectors cataloged their own libraries for many years. Although Lowndes struggled with health and financial hardship during the compilation process, his work earned lasting respect for its meticulous attention to detail. Throughout the 19th century, it remained an indispensable reference tool, later undergoing various revisions and expanded editions that cemented its status as a foundational text for those studying the history of the English book trade.