The core of the library's collection was formed around 40,000 books, including many rarities, assembled by George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer, which Mrs Rylands purchased from Lord Spencer in 1892 for 210,000 pounds. She had begun acquiring books in 1889 and continued to do so throughout her lifetime. Another notable purchase made by Mrs. Rylands was that of James Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford at Haigh Hall in 1901. Quickly and without discussion, Mrs. Rylands took them off his hands for 155,000 pounds, having made her decision based upon cursive description, as Lord Crawford had never produced a definitive description.