The Roxburghe Collection of ballads was formed by Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford. John Bagford, the antiquary, was one of the buyers employed by the Earl of Oxford, and he is the reputed collector of the ballads. When the printed books collected by the Earl of Oxford were dispersed, the ballads were bought by James West, President of the Royal Society. At the death of West, his 'curious and valuable library' was sold by auction by Messrs. Langford, 'on Monday, the 29th March, 1773, and the 23 following days, Sundays excepted.' They were purchased by Major Thomas Pearson. In Pearson's hands they were rebound into 2 volumes, with printed indexes, and title-pages bearing his initials. After Pearson's death they were purchased by John, Duke of Roxburghe. -- cf. The Roxburghe Ballads. Lond., 1871 (introduction).

Microfilm. London : British Library, 2000. 1 microfilm reel : negative ; 35 mm.