SPALDING GENTLEMEN'S SOCIETY.. Catalogue of the Books, Manuscripts, Pamphlets and Tracts in the Library of the Spalding Gentlemen's Society. Compiled by E. W. Maples, B.A., and George Goodwin, and revised by a Committee Consisting of Marten Perry, M.D., President, Rev. Robert Hollis, Rev. T. A. Stoodley, M.A., B.C.L., Librarian. Spalding: Printed and Published by Robt. Appleby's Exors., 1893. 59, [1]pp., interleaved with blank leaves, with numerous additional titles added in pencil to the blank leaves and printed text. [Bound with:] [MOORE (William)] The Gentlemen's Society at Spalding: Its Origin and Progress. London: William Pickering, 1851. [8], 61, [3]pp., "A list of members of The Gentlemen's Society of Spalding": pages [17]-61. [Bound with:] PERRY (Marten) List of Members of the Spalding Gentlemen's Society, Elected since January 1st, 1851 [-2nd May, 1893.]1851

[Spalding: s.n.,] 4pp., plus a single leaf giving a resume of the society from 1755 to 1889. 3 items bound in one, 8vo (215 x 140 mm), orig. publishers brick red pebbled cloth, lettered in gilt, a couple of small tears to joints. Founded in 1710, the Spalding Gentlemen's Society is Britain's oldest surviving provincial learned society. As its name suggests, it was a male preserve with its rules excluding female members. Women began to assist the Librarian in the care of the Society's extensive library but it wasn't until 2006 when a historic vote was taken to admit women as members of the Society.