INTRODUCTION.

THE present catalogue, the first of its kind, with the exception of a few union lists of periodicals and incunabula, to be issued either in this country or abroad, is the outcome of a suggestion made early in 1904 at a meeting of the Joint Architectural Committee which is composed of representatives of the University of Manchester, of the Manchester Education Committee, and of the Manchester Society of Architects.

It was pointed out that scattered over the principal libraries of Manchester and Salford there existed a very fine and extensive collection of works on architecture and the allied arts, in which architects, students of architecture, and art workers generally might find almost infinite resources of suggestion and inspiration for their work. Unfortunately, there was no means of determining what each library contained, or even where a particular work could be seen and consulted, otherwise than by a personal visit to the various institutions. As a natural consequence the usefulness of the collections was seriously impaired, and much valuable material was allowed to rest upon the shelves unopened, because nobody knew it was there, for want of a proper catalogue.

The value of the suggestion, that a combined, or union, catalogue of this literature should be issued, was at once recognised, and the committee passed the following resolution :—

"That in the opinion of this Committee it is desirable that steps be taken for the issue of a catalogue of the books on Architecture existing in all the public libraries in the City of Manchester, and that Professors Capper and Tout, and Mr. Charles Rowley be a sub-committee to carry out this suggestion, with Mr. J. H. Reynolds, Principal of the Manchester School of Technology, as convener."

At subsequent meetings, held between 1904 and 1906, it was resolved to invite the co-operation of the various authorities, and to request them to furnish a list of all such books in their respective libraries.

The librarians and committees of the different libraries entered very

cordially into the spirit of the proposal, and readily undertook to prepare the necessary lists.

For the successful issue of these preliminary negotiations Principal Reynolds is mainly responsible, whilst the general work of editorship, including the determination of the scope of the undertaking, the question of form, and the arrangement of other details was entrusted to the undersigned.

The examination of the lists originally submitted, revealed such marked differences in method and style, that it was evident, if uniformity of treatment was to be secured, the revision would have to be most thorough. With a view to ensure the desired consistency the suggestions given on pp. xvii-xviii were printed and circulated. New lists were prepared by several of the libraries in conformity with these suggestions, but, for greater security, it was deemed advisable to verify every entry. In a large number of cases the titles have been compared with the books to which they refer.

This work occupied a much longer period than was originally anticipated, so that it was not until a considerable time had elapsed, that the task of final co-ordination and revision could be begun. In this work of revision we have been greatly assisted by the librarians and officials of the various institutions, who have met every demand for assistance with ready help and sympathy.

It is hoped that the catalogue may be of service not merely to those in whose interest it was primarily undertaken, but also to students of history and topography, as well as to others whose interests are not confined to the technical aspect of the subject. A large number of this class of works has been included, on account of the valuable prints and illustrations, comprising most of the larger county histories, as well as the important monographs on places of antiquarian and historical interest.

In the course of the work it was discovered that many important authorities were not to be found anywhere within the area covered by the co-operating libraries, and it occurred to us that a useful purpose might be served by including the titles of such, as "desiderata," with a view to further strengthening the equipment of the libraries in this respect. The suggested titles are distinguished, in both parts of the catalogue, by having an asterisk prefixed to them.

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It may be well to point out that this catalogue makes no pretension to the fulness which is generally associated with the bibliography of a