We first discussed the idea of preparing an illustrated catalogue of the illuminated and decorated manuscripts in Cambridge University Library in 1997. The plan thereafter was to inaugurate a more comprehensive survey of such manuscripts throughout the University and Colleges. The University Library project was soon able to make rapid progress, as a result of a substantial grant from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. This enabled the appointments of Dr Stella Panayotova (1998–2000) and Dr Dominic Marner (2001–02) as Research Associates. Dr Panayotova surveyed the entire body of manuscripts eligible for inclusion in the catalogue and prepared descriptions of the German, Netherlandish and Italian manuscripts. Professor Binski prepared most of the the remaining descriptions. Dr Zutshi revised all the entries and in many cases considerably expanded them. The final stages of preparation of the volume were jointly the responsibility of Professor Binski and Dr Zutshi, with invaluable assistance from Jessica Berenbeim and Dr Kelcey Wilson-Lee. The indexes are Dr Wilson-Lee's work.

The catalogue builds on the work of earlier scholars in the field. The first attempt to print detailed descriptions of the manuscripts in Cambridge University Library appeared under the title A Catalogue of the Manuscripts preserved in the Library of the University of Cambridge in six volumes between 1856 and 1867. This collaborative venture covers western manuscripts, including Greek and post-medieval, in the classes Dd-Qq and Add. 1-337.