The 1840 volume of A Checklist of American Imprints further extends the bibliographical efforts begun by Charles Evans and continued by Shaw and Shoemaker. The purpose of the work is to make an initial identification of monographs; state and local documents; pamphlets; broadsides; and other materials published in America during the year 1840. The bibliography is based upon the work of the American Imprints Inventory of the Depression era WPA but draws heavily upon more recently published national and state bibliographies. It incorporates the theses done at Catholic University, which continue the publication program of the Historical Records Survey. Arrangement is by author. The essential elements of description are given and, in most cases, locations of several extant copies are provided. The series, when completed, will cover the period from 1820 to 1875. Beginning with the volume for 1838 the Checklist has been typeset, rather than using the former typescript style.