These were begun in 1846, targeted the mass market, and comprised editions of standard works and translations, dealing with history, science, classics, theology, and archaeology.
Bohn was noted for his book auction sales: one held in 1848 lasted four days, the catalogue comprising twenty folio pages.
In 1846, he also started publishing The British Florist; Or, Lady's Journal of Horticulture, which had six volumes with illustrations and plates (coloured).
[2] The reasons for the success of Bohn's Libraries may have included their marketing to a general mass readership with volumes selling at low prices,[3] their "lack of literary pretensions", and their "policy of a widespread, but restrained expurgation".
The plan includes bibliographical and critical notices, particulars of prices, etc., and a considerable addition to the original work.