Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten

The great library of Baumgarten was sold at his death in various auctions. This first catalogue, which contains the entire collection but has no continuous numbering, sometimes divides the collection to sell based on topic (e.g., Libri philosophici et politico-iuridici), but sometimes the criteria are not clear (Libri miscellanei priores).

The first part of the principal catalogue of the library—a selection of books was already sold in 1762—includes biblical texts, theological works, collections of sermons, lives of saints and other writings on religious topics. Two small sections, at the end of the catalogue, propose scientific (Libri medici, physici et chymici) or various works.

The second part of the principal catalogue of the library includes, generally, "profane knowledge", so philosophical, juridical, historical and literary texts, as well as scientific works and others. The first section of the second part of the catalogue contains books of history, philosophy and philology, but also works of medicine and other sciences. The appendix contains a collection of letters.

The second section of the second part contains encyclopaedic texts and texts from manuals (the Historia eruditionis, the histories of the libraries, etc.), juridical works, books printed prior to 1520, various works in French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and English. The concluding chapter is dedicated to oriental studies. The appendix uses, with some variations, the same subdivisions.