The collection consists of several sub-divisions, such as bookplates with a printed date (over 300 bookplates, 1587-1800), ecclesiastical bookplates of the 17th and 18th centuries, and a large group relating to Cambridge and Oxford Universities (mostly 18th century). Well represented are bookplates of libraries, starting with a German bookplate, ca. 1580. Among the library bookplates of some significance are large dated German bookplates of the Royal Library, Munich, the earliest being dated 1614, the bookplate of the medical library, Frankfort, 1676, representing the view of a 17th century library, and a large collection of early American library bookplates. The main divisions of the collection are by nationality. The largest group is represented by English bookplates, from the late 17th to early 20th century. A large group of 18th century English bookplates is divided by style, armorial devices and period (Jacobean, Chippendale, etc.) The majority of the 18th century dated plates are of English origin. English plates by different engravers are grouped alphabetically, according to the engraver (over 650 plates). The group of American bookplates has subdivisions such as American ladies, American lawyers, public and college libraries, etc. Among libraries of American colleges, there is an interesting group of plates of early student societies. An important group are American bookplates by 19th and early 20th century engravers in alphabetical order (over 900 bookplates). This includes extensive holdings of bookplates by E.D. French and J.W. Spenceley as well as proof plates and original pen and ink bookplate designs by S. Holyer. The Spenceley collection encompasses also a group of wide margined signed proofs. The continental bookplates consist mainly of French, German, and Italian plates, with a relatively small number of examples from other European countries (Belgium, Holland, Hungary, Russia, etc.). The French bookplates represent the largest group of 17th and 18th century continental bookplates and also the very rare Rotta plate (1641). The Italian group is smaller than the French group, but of similar composition and quality. The plates are mounted with a description at the bottom. On the back of the mountings, there is often additional information, such as significance, literature, etc. Box numbers are the original numbers from the Davison Collection. Skipped numbers are from boxes not received.
