Facsimiles of several lines to several pages of autograph letters and other examples of writing by sixty-one historical figures, mostly copied from documents in the British Museum. Transcriptions on lighter paper alternate with facsimiles on heavier stock, with the transcription(s) on the left-hand side and the facsimile(s) on the right. Printing is generally on one side only; facsimiles of more than one page in length are, however, printed on the front and back of the sheet. The title page is a full-page four-color lithographic design with an elaborate border and typography. Per preface, this was to be the first of an annual series. Since this book is well on its way to dissolution into single sheets (there does not seem to be anything missing except part of the backing) the binding scarcely needs mention. It is (was) cloth imitating straight-grained leather, with blind-stamped cover borders and gilt title. Ex-library, with spine label. Title page soiled, occasional soiling in text.