Catalogue of the William Loring Andrews Collection of Early Books in the Library of Yale University

A collection once presented to a university library in 1894, this catalogue assembles a carefully chosen set of early printed works to illustrate the first century of movable‑type publishing. Its original intent was to serve both as a permanent exhibition and as a teaching aid for anyone curious about the birth of the printed book.

The volume offers concise entries for about twenty presses, each paired with clear descriptions of typefaces, layout conventions and decorative initials that bridge medieval manuscript practice and the new print world. Photographic reproductions let readers examine original pages, while two fifteenth‑century manuscripts provide a tangible link to the models that early printers copied. The focus on typography and the survival of copyist habits makes the catalogue a practical primer for students of book history.

Organised primarily by country and then by press, the list follows a natural developmental line that mirrors the spread of printing from Mainz onward through Italy, France, Holland and England. This logical arrangement, together with an indexed conspectus of titles, dates and printers, equips scholars with a solid foundation for deeper research into early print culture.