Vols. for 1841-1914 include Rates of box and pocket chronometers on trial for purchase by the Board of Admiralty (varies slightly); 1888-1914 include Rates of chronometer watches on trial for purchase by the Board of Admiralty (varies slightly); 1838, 1845- include Reports of the Astronomer Royal to the Board of Visitors (these titles also issued separately).

A history of Genoa, tracing the city's transformation from an obscure port into the capital of a small but thriving republic with an extensive overseas empire. Covering six centuries, the text interweaves political events, economic trends, social conditions and cultural accomplishments.