SION COLLEGE LIBRARY CATALOGUES

Three interleaved copies of the catalogue of Sion College Library by its Librarian John Spencer (d. 1680): 'Catalogus universalis librorum omnium in bibliotheca Collegii Sionii apud Londinenses ... per J.S. bibliothecarium ...' (London, 1650).These copies were used as the catalogue of Sion College Library from 1650 to the Fire of London in 1666. The interleaved pages in all three copies record additions to the Library 1650-66 in the hand of John Spencer. L40.2/E169. Copy for the use of the Governors of Sion College. Quarter leather binding, 200 x 170 mm. 20th cent. On the front pastedown is a note by Spencer: 'This book is for the use and custody of the Governors of Sion College from yeare to yeare for the time being, to examine the Library by. And a counterpart hereof is in the custody of the Library-Keeper. When any new books are brought in, they are to be entered into the register in folio, one of vellum bownd with silver clasps, and two others in paper, the one whereof is in the Governors keeping, the other in the Library-keepers, and from thence to be transcribed into this. When the new Governors are chosen, they are entreated at theyr entrance in the presence of the Governors for the yeare past to examine the Library according to this Catalogue. Entered by the Governors for the yeare 1651, witness they hands [followed by the signatures of Lazarus Seaman, President, and five other Governors]. Note by Spencer on the title page recording his additions to the catalogue at various dates until 1 Sept. 1666. L40.2/E170. Probably the copy for the use of the Librarian of Sion College. Quarter leather binding, 198 x 160 mm. 20th cent. Note by Spencer on the title page: '...continuata usque ad 1 Septembris anno 1666'. L40.2/E171. Probably a copy for the use of readers, since this was chained within Sion College Library. Original vellum binding, 200 x 160 mm. with evidence of chaining on the upper front cover. 17th cent. Note by Spencer on the title page: '...continuata usque ad primum Septembris anno 1666'.

Catalogues of Sion College Library in the hand of John Spencer: Sion L40.2/E4; E5 (2 vols); E58 (2 vols); E92; E93; E117; E169-171. Another printed copy of Spencer's catalogue: Sion L40.2/E172

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