The Annual Catalogue: Numb. II. (1738) Or, A new and compleat List of All The New Books, New Editions of Books, Pamphlets, &c.

A concise snapshot of the bustling London book trade in the late 1730s, this annual catalogue gathers every title that appeared between January 1737 and January 1738. Compiled for gentlemen, ladies, and country booksellers far from the capital, it offers a practical guide to what was newly published without the need for costly trips to the city. The editor’s introductory note explains the purpose: to list books, pamphlets, prints and their exact prices, together with the names and addresses of the firms that produced them.

The volume covers an astonishing range of subjects—history, divinity, law, poetry, drama, science, architecture and more—each entry giving a brief description, its price, and the printer or bookseller responsible. An alphabetical index of booksellers' names and locations makes ordering a straightforward affair, a handy tool for anyone wanting to send a request by post. Prices are noted in the familiar shillings and pence of the era, sometimes marked “no price” when the original omitted the figure.

Beyond its utilitarian function, the catalogue offers a vivid portrait of eighteenth‑century literary culture, revealing which topics captured public interest and how publishing houses presented their offerings. Minor typographical corrections are highlighted, showing the care taken to present an accurate record. For listeners who love to imagine the rhythm of the historic book market, this document is both a practical reference and a charming time capsule.