It was edited by Ronald Gower, written anonymously by Frank Cundall,[2] and published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington in London from 1880 to 1885 in five volumes.
[3] The book takes the form of a description with provenance of each work together with a photographic image.
The works themselves were selected from the collections of the English nobility at their private homes such as Castle Howard, Hertford House (now home to the Wallace Collection), and Stafford House, rather than from public art galleries.
The Graphic reported that it was published in monthly parts with a de-luxe edition that used a new method printing that avoided "mounting".
[5] The Athenaeum approved of the editor's selection of works and also noted the presence of the miniatures.