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2025-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 229524

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

for

The Bibliographical Society

Thornton Springer LLP Chartered Accountants 67 Westow Street London SE19 3RW

The Bibliographical Society

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16 to 17

The Bibliographical Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objects of the Society are to promote and encourage bibliographical studies, and in particular:

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties. The public benefit of the Charity's activities are outlined under 'Objectives and Activities' and 'Achievements and Performance' within this report.

Grantmaking

The Society invites applications for awards from scholars engaged in bibliographical research (on, for example, book history, textual transmission, publishing, printing, bookbinding, book-ownership and book-collecting). The Society hopes to make awards both for immediate research needs, such as for microfilms or travelling expenses, and for longer-term support, for example to assist with prolonged visits to libraries and archives.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

Review of the year 2025

The Society has continued to meet its aims and charitable objectives throughout the year 2025. More specifically, the Society has:

The Society maintains a healthy balance in its general purposes fund in order to withstand unexpected downturns and to sponsor specific future projects which will be presented to Council for consideration in the coming years.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Investment policy and objectives

The Charity’s investment objective is to protect, in so far as is reasonable and with the avoidance of undue risk, the real value of the Charity’s capital and income after allowance for inflation.

Page 1

The Bibliographical Society

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

Over the medium term it is the Trustees' intention to spend annual income while maintaining the real value of the General Fund.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Society is regulated by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales under a revised Trust Deed dated 18 April 1929.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

New Trustees are usually known to and recommended by existing Trustees. Their selection will be based on their experience, qualifications and skills.

Organisational structure

The Society operates primarily through the Council, the members of which are elected at each Annual General Meeting of the Society’s members. The principal officers are the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian and the editors of The Library and of Monographs.

At present the Society has no salaried employees.

Council has appointed a number of subcommittees to assist in various areas:

Finance & General Purposes Fellowships & Bursaries Publications Medal Outreach Libraries at risk

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

229524

Principal address

c/o Institute of English Studies Room 304, Senate House Malet Street London WC1E 7HU

Page 2

The Bibliographical Society

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Trustees

N Bell (President) A Bianchi Dr L Cleaver (appointed 28.10.25) J P Croft (resigned 28.10.25) L G Evans M Ford A Franklin D Green (resigned 28.10.25) Dr J F Hone (appointed 28.10.25) Dr J King (appointed 28.10.25) K Limper-Herz (Secretary to 28.10.25) R Linenthal D Macfarlane S Panayotova M Payne (Treasurer) D Pearson W Poole E Potten J Raven G Sewell L Sims (Secretary from 28.10.25) J Walworth J Willoughby

Independent Examiner

Thornton Springer LLP Chartered Accountants 67 Westow Street London SE19 3RW

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

........................................................................ L Sims - Trustee

Page 3

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Bibliographical Society

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Bibliographical Society

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Bibliographical Society (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

S B Ison FCCA

Thornton Springer LLP Chartered Accountants 67 Westow Street London SE19 3RW

Date: .............................................

Page 4

The Bibliographical Society

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Notes
INCOME AND
ENDOWMENTS FROM
Charitable activities
Other
The Library
Other trading activities
2
Investment income
3
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Other
Grants & awards
Publishing
The Library
Total
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
NET INCOME
Transfers between funds
13
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD		 Unrestricted
fund
£
1,982
129,164
22,971
24,101
178,218
38,157
22,662
10,837
115,594
187,250
111,264
102,232
-
102,232
588,729
690,961		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
218
218
-
-
-
-
-
(218)
-
16,000
16,000
166,818
182,818		 Endowment
fund
£
-
-
-
23,808
23,808
-
-
-
-
-
(23,808)
-
(16,000)
(16,000)
743,069
727,069		 31.12.25
Total
funds
£
1,982
129,164
22,971
48,127
202,244
38,157
22,662
10,837
115,594
187,250
87,238
102,232
-
102,232
1,498,616
1,600,848		 31.12.24
Total
funds
£
-
104,300
24,051
46,687
175,038
25,624
20,898
5,258
92,960
144,740
46,933
77,231
-
77,231
1,421,385
1,498,616

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

The Bibliographical Society

Balance Sheet

31 December 2025

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Heritage assets
6
Investments
7
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks
8
Debtors
9
Cash at bank
10
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one
year
11
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due after more
than one year
12
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
13
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Endowment funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Unrestricted
fund
£
20,000
446,325
466,325
4,000
129,907
140,852
274,759
(45,068)
229,691
696,016
(5,055)
690,961		 Restricted
funds
£
-
182,818
182,818
-
-
-
-
-
-
182,818
-
182,818		 Endowment
fund
£
-
727,069
727,069
-
-
-
-
-
-
727,069
-
727,069		 31.12.25
Total
funds
£
20,000
1,356,212
1,376,212
4,000
129,907
140,852
274,759
(45,068)
229,691
1,605,903
(5,055)
1,600,848
690,961
182,818
727,069
1,600,848		 31.12.24
Total
funds
£
20,000
1,270,474
1,290,474
4,000
104,837
143,385
252,222
(39,025)
213,197
1,503,671
(5,055)
1,498,616
588,729
166,818
743,069
1,498,616

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

.............................................

M Payne - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants are made mainly to individuals for bibliographical research. The availability of awards is advertised and applications are considered by the Fellowships & Bursaries Subcommittee.

Provision is made in the accounts for grants committed but unpaid at the end of the year where a constructive obligation has been created.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Since the vast majority of support costs relate to the charitable activities, no apportionment is made to other headings in the financial statements.

Heritage assets

The Society’s library is identified as a heritage asset. It is not regarded primarily as an investment; it is included in the Balance Sheet at a value estimated by the trustees. The library is stored at the University of Essex. No record exists of the historical cost of the library.

Stocks

In view of the small quantity of stock of completed publications and publications in the course of preparation, the value, based at the lower of estimated cost and net realisable value, has been estimated by the trustees.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.

continued...

Page 7

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Life membership

Life membership subscriptions are credited to subscriptions over a period of 20 years. The deferred income in respect of life members is shown on the Balance Sheet.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

31.12.25 31.12.24
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £
Subscriptions 22,971 - - 22,971 24,051
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
31.12.25 31.12.24
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £
Deposit account interest 112 - - 112 143
Curr asset inv income 23,989 218 23,808 48,015 46,544
24,101 218 23,808 48,127 46,687

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Trustees' expenses

Included in expenses of meetings are payments totalling £1,204 (2024 £1,524) made to Council Members in reimbursement of travelling expenses

5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Charitable activities
The Library
Other trading activities
Investment income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Other
Grants & awards
Publishing
The Library
Total		 Unrestricted
fund
£
104,300
24,051
23,155
151,506
25,624
20,898
5,258
92,960
144,740		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
210
210
-
-
-
-
-		 Endowment
fund
£
-
-
23,322
23,322
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
funds
£
104,300
24,051
46,687
175,038
25,624
20,898
5,258
92,960
144,740

continued...

Page 8

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total
fund funds fund funds
£ £ £ £
Net gains on investments 23,205 211 23,517 46,933
NET INCOME 29,971 421 46,839 77,231
Transfers between funds - 16,000 (16,000) -
Net movement in funds 29,971 16,421 30,839 77,231
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 558,758 150,397 712,230 1,421,385
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 588,729 166,818 743,069 1,498,616
6. HERITAGE ASSETS
Total
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025 20,000
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2025 20,000
At 31 December 2024 20,000
To comply with the Charities SORP requirements, the Society’s library is recognised as a heritage asset on th
Balance Sheet.
7. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Listed
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 January 2025 1,270,474
Disposals (1,500)
Revaluations 87,238
At 31 December 2025 1,356,212
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2025 1,356,212
At 31 December 2024 1,270,474

To comply with the Charities SORP requirements, the Society’s library is recognised as a heritage asset on the Balance Sheet.

continued...

Page 9

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

7. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued

202
5		 202
5		 202
5		 202
5		 202
5		 2024 2024
Common Investment Funds Cost Market
value		 Cost
Charity Multi-Asset Fund 1,216,377 1,347,547 1,216,377
COIF Charities Investment Fund
General Purposes Fund 305 4,888 305
Graham Pollard Memorial Fund 1,000 3,777 1,000
£1,217,682 £1,356,212 £1,217,682
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
Movement in year: 2025

Market value at 1 January		 1,270,475
Additions
Disposals (1,500)
Unrealised gain/(loss) 87,238
Market value at 31 December £1,356,213

Investments are stated at market value.

Unrealised gains or losses on revaluing investments are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities. Realised gains or losses on disposal of investments are also shown in the Statement of Financial Activities.

8. STOCKS

Stocks
9.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Sale of publications
VAT recoverable		 31.12.25
£
4,000
31.12.25
£
129,164
743
129,907		 31.12.24
£
4,000
31.12.24
£
104,300
537
104,837

continued...

Page 10

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

10.
CASH AT BANK
31.12.25
Total
funds
£
Bank deposit account
10,141
Bank current account
121,642
Key Bank account -American Friends
2,626
First Interstate Bank
710
Paypal
5,403
Cazenove
330
Total
140,852
11.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
31.12.25
£
Advance subscriptions
37
Accruals and deferred income
45,031
45,068
12.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
31.12.25
£
Deferred income - life members
5,055
13.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
Transfers
movement
between
At 1.1.25
in funds
funds
£
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
588,729
102,232
-
Restricted funds
Randeria Fund
6,432
-
-
Graham Pollard Memorial Fund
386
-
-
Future Publications
160,000
-
16,000
166,818
-
16,000
Endowment funds
Permanent Endowment
743,069
-
(16,000)
TOTAL FUNDS
1,498,616
102,232
-		 31.12.24
Total
funds
£
10,029
120,544
2,626
674
6,897
2,615
143,385
31.12.24
£
1,322
37,703
39,025
31.12.24
£
5,055
At
31.12.25
£
690,961
6,432
386
176,000
182,818
727,069
1,600,848

continued...

Page 11

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 178,218 (187,250) 111,264 102,232
Restricted funds
Randeria Fund 206 - (206) -
Graham Pollard Memorial Fund 12 - (12) -
218 - (218) -
Endowment funds
Permanent Endowment 23,808 - (23,808) -
TOTAL FUNDS 202,244 (187,250) 87,238 102,232
Comparatives for movement in funds
Net Transfers
movement between At
At 1.1.24 in funds funds 31.12.24
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 558,758 29,971 - 588,729
Restricted funds
Randeria Fund 6,035 397 - 6,432
Graham Pollard Memorial Fund 362 24 - 386
Future Publications 144,000 - 16,000 160,000
150,397 421 16,000 166,818
Endowment funds
Permanent Endowment 712,230 46,839 (16,000) 743,069
TOTAL FUNDS 1,421,385 77,231 - 1,498,616

continued...

Page 12

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Randeria Fund
Graham Pollard Memorial Fund
Endowment funds
Permanent Endowment
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
151,506
198
12
210
23,322
175,038		 Resources
expended
£
(144,740)
-
-
-
-
(144,740)		 Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
23,205
29,971
199
397
12
24
211
421
23,517
46,839
46,933
77,231		 Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
23,205
29,971
199
397
12
24
211
421
23,517
46,839
46,933
77,231
421
46,839
77,231

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Randeria Fund
Graham Pollard Memorial Fund
Future Publications
Endowment funds
Permanent Endowment
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.1.24
£
558,758
6,035
362
144,000
150,397
712,230
1,421,385		 Net
movement
in funds
£
132,203
397
24
-
421
46,839
179,463		 Transfers
between
funds
£
-
-
-
32,000
32,000
(32,000)
-		 At
31.12.25
£
690,961
6,432
386
176,000
182,818
727,069
1,600,848

continued...

Page 13

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Randeria Fund
Graham Pollard Memorial Fund
Endowment funds
Permanent Endowment
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
329,724
404
24
428
47,130
377,282		 Resources
expended
£
(331,990)
-
-
-
-
(331,990)		 Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
134,469
132,203
(7)
397
-
24
(7)
421
(291)
46,839
134,171
179,463

The objects and purposes of the various funds are as follows: Permanent Endowment Fund To support bibliographical research and publications. Designated Funds which have been set aside for specific purposes: Randeria Fund To fund an annual lecture. Graham Pollard Memorial Fund To fund an annual lecture in memory of Graham Pollard. Future Publications Fund To fund commitments to future publications:

2025 2024
£ £
Gadd, Stationers' Company Liber A 16,000 16,000
Lazarus, Alexander Nowell 16,000 16,000
McKay, Shorthand Books 16,000 16,000
Roberts, Herbert of Cherbury 16,000 16,000
Myrone, Prints and Drawings at the British Library: A Handlist 16,000 16,000
Unallocated 96,000 80,000
176,000 160,000

Transfers between funds

Each year a transfer is made from the Endowment Fund towards future publications costs.

continued...

Page 14

The Bibliographical Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Page 15

The Bibliographical Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
31.12.25 31.12.24
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Other trading activities
Subscriptions 22,971 24,051
Investment income
Deposit account interest 112 143
Curr asset inv income 48,015 46,544
48,127 46,687
Charitable activities
Sales of "The Library" 129,164 104,300
Advertising revenue 1,814 -
Sales of other publications to members 64 -
Royalties 104 -
131,146 104,300
Total incoming resources 202,244 175,038
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Lectures & meetings 35 150
Printing costs -other publications 10,837 4,508
Commission on sales of "The Library" 32,291 26,075
Printing costs -"The Library" 37,422 29,347
Post & storage -"The Library" 40,881 37,538
Grants to individuals 22,662 20,898
144,128 118,516
Support costs
Management
Clerical assistance & office space 18,256 8,238
Membership system setup and subscription 4,600 -
22,856 8,238
Finance
Insurance 664 631
Postage and stationery 391 17
Sundries 944 2,811
Bank & Paypal charges 672 813
IT & website expenses 300 281
Exchange difference 46 (8)
3,017 4,545

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16

The Bibliographical Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
31.12.25 31.12.24
£ £
Finance
Governance costs
Council & committee Meetings 12,249 8,441
Accountancy and legal fees 5,000 5,000
17,249 13,441
Total resources expended 187,250 144,740
Net income before gains and losses 14,994 30,298
Realised recognised gains and losses
Realised gains/(losses) on fixed asset investments - 18
Net income 14,994 30,316

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 17