Manuscripts from the collection of Howel (not Howell) Wills, author of Florentine Heraldry: A Supplement to the Guide-Books, (London [1901/2]) (on whom see Foster, Alumni Oxonienses, IV, p. 1578), can be recognised by a square paper label with scalloped edges, printed in blue with a beaded circle and corner-filling motifs, the centre inscribed in black ink with his three-part shelfmark inscribed vertically:
Among MSS with this label are Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS. Bywater 1, MS. Don. d. 85, MS. Lat. th. c. 34, and MS. Lyell 77.
His library was sold at Sotheby's, 11 July 1894. A number of the MSS from the first sale were bought by Bernard Quaritch Ltd., and offered in their Rough list no. 144, A rough list of choice and valuable books...[f]rom the library of Howel Wills, Esq., of Florence (August 1894). Three other sales of Wills's property (paintings, prints, drawings, medieval and renaissance works of art, etc.), were held by Christie's in February of the same year. Further books were sold at Sotheby's,1 December 1896.