I love old library catalogues! There have been quite few of them posted here over the years, some now deleted, others scattered over disparate threads, so I thought I’d try and round them up - and add a few extra bits and pieces of my own. I’ve stolen the format originally used by
Mr and "borrowed" some of his
original posts (thanks for all your amazing work and hope you don’t mind
) I've also expanded the entries where I can. Thanks also to
Retronic, Caliban, WSBG, Upgrade, Your Pal Doug, the amazing and handsome
Horror Bag and anyone I've missed.
It’s a work in progress – more to come shortly, I hope.
All thumbnails should be clickable.
UK:AtmosphereTwo catalogues feature in Retronic's video
here.
Boosey & HawkesFor the earliest Boosey listings, see
Macquarie-Bosworth / Macquarie-Boosey and Hawkes. The Boosey & Hawkes Eight-Way Card Index of Recorded Music
(paperback, date unknown. Thanks to Mr for this entry)
Boosey & Hawkes Recorded Music: Complete Catalogue 1952
(paperback, 32pp., August 1952. Thanks to Mr for this entry)
This catalogue goes from OT.2000 to OT.2214. The following discs are not listed: 2078, 2090, 2142 - 2146, 2151 - 2162, 2166 - 2178, 2183.
Boosey & Hawkes Recorded Music: Complete Catalogue: Revised Edition 1957
(paperback, c.60?pp., 1957)
This catalogue covers OT.2000 to O.2290. It omits the same catalogue numbers as the 1952 catalogue, along with 2230, 2142 - 2146, 2151 - 2162, 2166 - 2178 and 2183. M.2027 is present but listed as deleted.
This copy was sold on eBay in 2015. The following one-sheet, two-sided, dated supplements were included:
Boosey & Hawkes: Supplement No. 1 to Complete Catalogue (1957) – Nov 1957, 2291-2302
Boosey & Hawkes: Supplement No. 2 to Complete Catalogue (1957) – Mid-April 1958, 2303-2313
Boosey & Hawkes: Supplement No. 3 to Complete Catalogue (1957) – Mid-November 1958, 2314-2326
Boosey & Hawkes: Supplement No. 4 to Complete Catalogue (1957) – April 1959, 2327-2339
Boosey & Hawkes: Supplement No. 5 to Complete Catalogue (1957) – November 1959, 2340-2351
Boosey & Hawkes: Supplement No. 6 to Complete Catalogue (1957) – April 1960, 2352-2363
Boosey & Hawkes: Supplement No. 7 to Complete Catalogue (1957) – Second Issue [November?], 1960, 2364-2377
Boosey & Hawkes Recorded Music: Complete Catalogue: Revised Edition 1960There's a quick glimpse of this in Retronic's
brilliant video below. No further info available.
Boosey & Hawkes Recorded Music: Complete Catalogue: Edition 1961
(paperback, 72pp., [April?] 1961)
This catalogue covers OT.2000 to OT.2390. It includes all the same omissions as the 1957 catalogue; the following discs are listed as deleted: M.2027, MT.2035, O.2107. Many discs up to V.2188 are listed as "Earlier recordings" not included in the classified sections and only "available while stocks last".
Scans of 2262 to 2390 from the Numerical Listing can be downloaded
here.
This copy was sold on eBay in 2015. Some correspondence was included (image 3), along with the following 1-sheet, 2-sided supplement:
Supplement No. 1 to Complete Catalogue, Edition 1961
Boosey & Hawkes: Long Playing Supplement 1968
(paperback, 16pp., 1968)
This catalogue lists the early Boosey LPs from SBH 3000, apparently up to 3008.
Boosey & Hawkes Recorded Music: Complete Catalogue: 78 rpm Records, 1969
(paperback, 104pp., 1969)
This catalogue lists all Boosey 78s that were available by 1969. The earliest entry is M.2011; the final one OT.2611. Many discs up to V.2188 are now missing (2115 - 2120, 2127 - 2162, 2164, 2166 - 2188).
This copy was sold on eBay in 2023. Some later pages of the Numerical Index were uploaded
here.
Boosey & Hawkes: Long Playing Records: Complete Catalogue including New Issues 1970-71
(paperback, 52pp., 1971)
This catalogue lists all Boosey LPs from SBH 3000 to 3025. It was sold on eBay in 2023.
Later updates retained the same design, albeit in larger A4 versions with additional Cavendish branding - as seen in Retronic's video
here and
here.
(Thanks to Caliban for massive help with this section.)
BosworthFor the earliest Bosworth listings, see
Macquarie-Bosworth / Macquarie-Boosey and Hawkes. Bosworth: 78 r.p.m. Records: Discography, 1998
(comb binding, 74pp., 1998)
I’m aware of very little contemporaneous material for the Bosworth Library, but there is this great Discography from 1998. This sold on Ebay in 2023.
Bosworth Recorded Music, 1974?
(paperback, 26pp., c.1974)
Catalogue of “new issues” BLP 102 to 135. This item sold on eBay in
2024. A copy can be seen in Retronic's video
here.
Bosworth Archive: Numerical Listing, c.2008?
This brilliant thing was posted on LMT a few forums ago: “Here is the information that I received from [Bosworth’s] owners (MusicSales.co.uk) in 2008, who I believe still own Bosworth.” Thank you, original uploader! (They turned down a credit here so I won’t name them, but I will give them very hearty thanks
)
DOWNLOAD LINK[Bosworth Backgrounds] BOBA Recorded Music Catalogue, 1990s?
(binder, ?pp., 1990s?)
A bit too recent for this thread really but this one’s on eBay right now! h++ps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256040669804?itmmeta=01HV3S11NS57PZ48TMZ8CVG3HM&hash=item3b9d36926c:g:UxkAAOSwW7NkNWjL
Bruton Music, late 70s / early 80s?
(binder, date unknown)
(Thanks to Facebook page "Bruton Music Vinyl" for these photos, and to Mr for posting this item)A member in the Facebook group says he had this catalogue "and the one prior to it" so there may well be an earlier edition.
Bruton Music Catalogue: "2nd Edition", 1980s?
(paperback, ?pp., 80s? Thanks to Mr for originally posting this item)
Another contender for the crown of second Bruton catalogue - from an eBay listing:
This is the 2nd edition featuring the later vinyl albums prior to switching to CDs. The catalogue is... categorised into genres... so all BRA's are together, BRB's together etc right the way through to BRS. There is no index system as such in this and lists every vinyl album released and some of the later releases were also released on cd. This item was sold in
2009.
Bruton Music Catalogue, 1980s?
Another paperback edition can be seen in
Retronic's video and another
here. No further information available.
Bruton Music, c.1987
(paperback, c. 1987. Thanks to Mr for posting this item)
(Thanks to Facebook page "Bruton Music Vinyl" for these photos, and to Mr for posting this item)Chappell Recorded Music Library, 1957
(paperback, 90pp., January 1957)
This is the earliest Chappell catalogue I am aware of and lists all(?) the 78s from C.101 to C.551. Copies were sold on eBay UK in
2014 and
2015 and another in Australia in
2024.
The following supplements appear to have been issued between 1957 and 1959:
Chappell Records Supplements 1-6, C.552 – C.614
Chappell Records Supplement 7, C.615 – C.626
Chappell Records Supplement 8, C.627 – C.635
Chappell Records Supplement 9, C.636 – C.647
Chappell Records Supplement 10, C.648 – C.659
I've seen no direct evidence of these individual supplements but they were combined into a single edition in September 1959:
Chappell Records: Supplements One to Ten, 1959
(paperback, 8pp., September 1959)
This covers C.552 to C.659.
Two further supplements appear to have followed:
Chappell Records Supplement 11, C.660 – C.671
Chappell Records Supplement 12, C.672 – C.683
These were combined with the earlier ten volumes in May 1960:
Chappell Records: Supplements One to Twelve, 1960
)
This covers C.552 to C.683. More supplements followed:
Chappell Records Supplement 13, C.684-695, 4pp., undated
Chappell Records Supplement 14, C.696-707, 4pp., undated
Chappell Records Supplement 15, C.708-719, 4pp., undated
Chappell Records Supplement 16, C.720-731, 4pp., undated
Chappell Recorded Music Library [1962 – Version A]
(paperback, c.120pp., 1962)
This updates the 1957 Catalogue with all the releases from Supplements 1 to 16, listing C.101 to C.731 (with some omissions). This copy was sold on eBay in 2022. The same edition can be seen in Retronic's video
here.
Chappell Recorded Music Library [1962 – Version B]
(paperback, 122pp., 1962)
This slightly later edition now lists all the Chappell 78s from C.101 up to C.804 (again with some omissions). This copy sold on American eBay in 2020.
Chappell Records Supplement: C.732-820, 22pp., c.1964
Chappell Records Supplement: C.732-828, 24pp., c.1964?
A small update on the previous supplement with the same cover layout. A copy of this item sold in
2015.
Chappell Recorded Music: Additional Supplement to the Main Catalogue: C.732-912, ?pp., c.1966?
Found this on my PC, no memory of where it came from. EBay I assume - file dated 2022. It looks more like a folder rather than a cover...
Chappell Index Series: Folder + 3 Catalogues
(paperback, c.50pp., date unknown. Thanks to Mr for this listing.)
Wraparound folder containing 3 inserts:
- CIS 5001-5006 (c.1967)
- CIS 5007-5012 (c.1969)
- CIS 5013-5024 (date unknown)
A copy was sold in
2019. Another can be seen in Retronic's video
here.
Chappell Classical Series, c.1975
(Paperback, ?pp., c.1975?)
Covers CLP 701 to 715. No further information available.
Chappell Recorded Music Library: CD Catalogue, c.1996
(Paperback, 118pp., c.1996)
The following CDs are listed as available:
- Chap Series: CHAP 127 – 204
- AV Series: AV 033 – 100
- European Classical Series: CHAP C1 – C24
A similar catalogue can be seen in
Retronic's video below.
[
more Chappell to follow... Special thanks to Caliban for helping out with this section.]
Conroy Recorded Music Library: Copy of Numerical Index, c.1964
In 2023,
Upgrade kindly shared some photocopies of most of a Conroy Numerical Index
here and
here. At the time these contained nuggets of info that were completely unavailable elsewhere. Thanks Upgrade!
Conroy: LP Catalogue, c.1971
Contains listings for BMLP 001 to 088. This item sold on eBay in 2024. A copy of this catalogue can be seen in Retronic's
video.
Conroy: LP Catalogue, c.70s?
A copy of this catalogue can be seen in Retronic's
video. No further info available.
Music-De Wolfe: Recorded Music Catalogue c.1967
(binder, 484pp., c.1967)
This catalogue lists DW 501 through to DW/LP 3047 (although that disc is wrongly listed as 3041). It lists many tracks available on tape only: some of these weren't released on disc or CD until years later; some never saw a "proper" release at all. This copy sold on eBay.com in
2024. Another copy appears in
Retronic's video.
Music-De Wolfe Supplement c.1973
(looseleaf, 171pp., c.1973)
This supplement carries on from the end of the 1967 catalogue, with entries from DW/LP 3048 to DW/LP 3283.
Music-De Wolfe Supplement Part Two c.1979
(looseleaf, 96pp., c.1979)
This supplement carries on from the previous volume, adding the stereo discs from DWS/LP 3284 to DWS/LP 3401. Both this and the previous supplement were sold on eBay as part of the 1967 Catalogue lot; the second image shows that folder as it was advertised - bulging with both supplements inserted.
Music-De Wolfe: Recorded Music Catalogue, c.1981
(binder, pages not numbered, c.1981)
The numerical listing omits all the old 78s but is otherwise complete from DW/LP 2732 to DWS/LP 3469. The “Detailed track listing” carries on from where the 1979 Supplement left off – DWS/LP 3400, carrying on to 3464.
This catalogue sold in
2023. Another copy (or very similar one) can be seen in action in
Retronic's video further down this thread.
Music-De Wolfe Recorded Music Catalogue, c.1981???
(binder, c.500pp., c.1981? Thanks to Mr for this listing)
I don’t know what this is! It looks identical to the 1967 catalogue and has roughly the same number of pages; I would have said this was simply a duplicate of that, but the pages shown here are completely different to their counterparts in the '67 catalogue...
De Wolfe Music Catalogue, 1988
(paperback, pp.?, 1988)
A copy sold on eBay in
2018.
A later De Wolfe catalogue with 90s branding can be seen in Retronic's video
here.
The EMI Photoplay Library of Recorded Music: Complete Catalogue
(details unknown)
I bought this on eBay last year but sadly it got lost in the post. All I have is this one photo
Focus Music LibraryThe following items are known to exist (thanks Mr!):
1) An early 2 page A4 booklet (c. 1991?) with FCD101 through FCD127.
2) It came housed in a paper folder which details releases up to FCD154 and 4 additional CD releases with "t.b.a." listed as cat.#. Undated.
3) And bundled together with a 16-page ringbound "Style-alike list 2002/3" booklet, which also has a catalogue on the last page detailing releases up to FCD180.
Francis, Day & Hunter: Mood Music [c.1953-54]
(paperback, 16pp., c.1953-54)
This appears to be a US-specific release. Skipping the very first disc (and FDH 021) it lists the 10" 78s from FDH 002 to 121, and 12" discs from FDH 1201 to 1207. These images were very kindly shared by our very own
WSBG Returns Yet Again! and he’s even uploaded the full set of snaps
here. Thanks WSBG!
FDH Mood Music: Copy of Numerical List [c.1963?]
This photocopy of a later FDH Numerical List was sold on eBay in 2021. If you bought it and are happy to share we’d love to see it!
Harmonic Recordings: Produced by Brull Music, Inc. [c.1951?]
(paperback, 20pp., c.1951)
This appears to be another American publication. In the available images, the most recent disc is C.B.L. 325. It was sold on eBay in 2015.
Harmonic Records: Mood Music Library: Catalogue, c.1957 6-Page Supplement, c.1957 [
not pictured]
12-Page Supplement, 1970
(paperback, 88pp., c.1957)
From original eBay listing:
88 page main catalogue [and] a taped-in 6 page supplement from 1957 … every track catalogued into style so Space Music, Heavy Industrial, Horror etc, etc composed by Peter Thomas, Francis Chagrin, King Palmer and Trevor Duncan etc, etc.
… and 2 copies of the same 1970 supplement of 12 pages … featuring 1970 albums such as Heinz Kiessling: Moods For Orchestra
and Barigozzi/Fabor: Synthetronics...
These items sold on eBay in 2014.
Harmonic Recorded Music Library: Catalogue [c.1961-62]
(paperback, 108pp., c.1961-62?)
Includes listings for CBL 1 to 17 (Sound Effects), CBL 34 to 60, HMP 257 to 298, CBL 299 to 488, and CBL 1001 to 1011. This item was sold on eBay in 2023.
[Harmonic] Brull Catalogue: Supplement No. 2 [c.1962]
The only shot I have of this: it was sold on eBay in 2021. (We can assume Supplement No. 1 ran from CBL 489 to CBL 500.) If the buyer is looking in, we'd love to know what was in the rest!
Harmonic Recorded Music Library: Catalogue [c.1964]
(paperback, c.144?pp., c.1964)
This catalogue retains the listings for CBL 1 to 17 (Sound Effects) and CBL 1001 to 1011. The main range now extends from HMP 257 to CBL 566, and the
Percussives discs have been added (CBL 2001 to 2008). This item was sold on eBay in 2017. Also included was a 4-page Supplement completing the run of 78s up to CBL 597 (picture 3) and another one (or two) Supplements listing the LP series up to at least 1970 (picture 4).
(Thanks to Caliban for help with this section.)
Impress Record Catalogue, c.1960
Contains listings for IA 101 to 247. This item was sold on eBay in
2013.
Impress Record Catalogue: Supplement No. 1, c.1961
Contains listings for IA 248 to 306. This item was sold on eBay in
2013.
Copies of these two Impress catalogues can be viewed in Retronic's video
here.
Impress Background Music: Catalogue, c.1963 + later supplements
(binder, pages not numbered, c.1963)
This catalogue lists the Impress range from IA 101 to 352 (1963). Additional pages have been added for IA 353 to 372 (1964), and another single page for the first 10” 33rpm discs: 373 to 379 (1966). Some tracks are listed as available on tape only: IA T 1 to 10.
I think this is the first time Impress tracks are listed as available in stereo (starting with the b-side of IA 205). Many of these stereo mixes remain unavailable today.
This copy sold in
2023.
Photos of the Numerical Index are available
here.
There is a second copy of this catalogue in a private collection. The pages have become adrift from their original folder and been re-bound in modern comb binding.
JW Theme Music, c.1962
(binder, pages not numbered, c. 1962)
This catalogue runs from JW 101 to JW 332. It was sold on eBay in 2023. Photos of the numerical index were uploaded
here.
KPM Music Recorded Library
Some early catalogues can be seen in Retronic's video
here.
KPM Music Recorded Library, c.1969
(paperback, 126pp., c.1969? Thanks to Mr for this listing)
KPM Music, 1980s?
This chunky KPM paperback can be seen in Retronic's
video. Details unknown.
KPM Music, 1987
(paperback, 480pp., 1987)
Numerical listing covers KPM 1001 to 1370. I believe there was at least one earlier issue with the same cover from 1985 or 86. A copy of this giant volume can be sighted in Retronic's video
here.
KPM Music: CD Listing 98
(paperback, ?pp., 1998)
Image is just the top of an A4 cover. No further information available.
(Thanks to Caliban for help with this section.)
Macquarie-Bosworth / Macquarie-Boosey and Hawkes, c.mid-40s? 
(paperback, 12pp., c.mid-40s?)
This catalogue contains the earliest Boosey & Hawkes and the only original Bosworth listings I am aware of. It "contains details of musical items available in Australian-made Macquarie-Bosworth and Macquarie-Boosey & Hawkes records." It lists a selection of discs from Bosworth BC1005 to BC1056, and a complete run of Boosey and Hawkes from BH 1904 to 1915.
Macquarie-Bosworth / Macquarie-Boosey and Hawkes, c.mid-40s?
(paperback, 7pp., c.late 40s?)
This catalogue details a selection of discs from Bosworth BD 101 to 121 and BC 1005 to 1072. It also contains a complete run of Boosey & Hawkes BH 1904 to 1922.
Paxton Records, c.1961
(paperback, 40pp., 1961)
This catalogue goes up to PR.744, which I think was the last release of 1961. It was sold on eBay in 2021. An identical-looking copy also sold in
2014Peer International Library Ltd: List of Releases, 1972
(paperback, ?pp., 1972)
Peer International Library Ltd: List of Releases, 1973-74 
(paperback, 22pp., 1974)
(Thanks to Caliban for help with this section.)
Southern Library of Recorded Music: Numerical and Classification List, 1965
(paperback?, c.17pp., 1965)
Numerical list only, MQ 501 to 768. Distributed here on LMT as a PDF scan - thanks to
Your Pal Doug for sharing!
Southern Library of Recorded Music: Catalogue, c.1968
(paperback, 148pp., c.1968)
Availability:
10" 78 r.p.m. - MQ 501 to MQ 962 (complete library)
7" 45 r.p.m. - MQ 501 to MQ 768
12" 33 1/3 r.p.m. - MQ 769 to MQ 962
This copy sold on eBay in
2023.
Southern Library of Recorded Music: Catalogue, c.1968 + 2 Earlier Supplements
(paperback, 152pp., c.1968)
This is from an eBay auction in
2014. The main catalogue appears to be identical but we also have "two earlier supplements of 12 and 8 pages from 1963 & 1962".
Southern Library of Recorded Music: Long Play Catalogue
(paperback, ?pp., ?)
No further information available.
Southern Library of Recorded Music: Classical and Traditional Catalogue
(paperback, ?pp., ?)
No further information available.
(Thanks to Caliban for help with this section.)
Standard Music Library: Catalogue c.1970
(paperback, 31pp., c.1970)
Listings for ESL 101 to 117. Includes some Period / Pastoral tracks that were “Tape only at present” that would later appear on ESL 121 (including one that wouldn't make the final selection). A similar catalogue can be seen in
Retronic's video.
Studio G Mood Music Guide, 1983
(paperback, ?pp., 1983. Thanks to Mr for this listing.)
Synchro Recorded Music Library 1960
(paperback, 72pp., 1960)
This was sold
three times on eBay between 2014 and 2016, apparently all by the same seller. Looks like it’s cursed – buyer beware.
Themes Catalogue, c.1982
(paperback, 46pp., c.1982. Thanks to Mr for this listing.)
Themes Catalogue, 1985
(Paperback, 36pp., 1985)
Contains all recordings from TIM 1001 to 1048. This copy sold in
2023.
Except vinyl and CDs, what to collect?New to library music, looking for newbie helpChappell Library Catalog Book For Sale on eBayImpress Catalog Auction