First edition. A comprehensive treatment of the work of the manuscripts curator. Nine chapters, including A Study of Manuscript Collecting, as Introduction; Administration; The Mechanics and Ethics of Acquistions; Physical Care and Conservation; Establishing Bibliographic Control; Use of Collections; Public Service. Appendices. Illustrated. Awarded the 1976 Waldo Gifford Leland Prize in archival practice. Name ink black pen on free endpaper.