“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

William Thomas Lowndes first published The Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature between 1834 and 1837 as a comprehensive guide to English books printed since the invention of the press. Inspired by the need for a systematic reference that detailed rare editions and historical auction prices, Lowndes spent years meticulously compiling data from library catalogs and sale records to assist scholars and collectors in navigating the complex landscape of the antiquarian book market.

The manual was designed as a definitive, portable compendium, organized alphabetically to allow for easy identification of obscure titles. While Lowndes initially struggled with financial hardship during the compilation process, the work eventually became a cornerstone of nineteenth-century bibliography. It was later expanded and updated by Henry G. Bohn in the 1850s, solidifying its reputation as an essential authority for bibliophiles and researchers throughout the Victorian era and beyond.