RADCLIFFE (John). Bibliotheca Chethamensis: sive Bibliothecae publicae Mancuniensis ab Humfredo Chetham Armigero fundatae Catalogus exhibens libros in varias classes pro varietate argumenti distributos.1791

J. Harrop, H. Smith & S. Simms, Manchester. First Edition, 5 vols., with a presentation label from the Chethams' library to E.W. Jones, engraved portrait of Chetham, uniform nineteenth-century buckram, uncut, a nice set. Catalogue of the most important of the early town libraries and the only one, up to the mid-nineteenth century, that was entirely free and accessible to the public. Founded in 1653 by a prosperous Manchester Wool merchant, Humphrey Chetham, it grew rapidly in size and scope to become the first "modern" public library. This catalogue was based on a novel classification devised by Radcliffe, with various headings and consecutive numbering (8029). A sixth volume was issued in 1883 of additions from 1863-1881.