All pages of minutes are divided into two columns; entries until 4 Jul 1663 are often split between the two columns, with brief or truncated minutes in the left column and later additions in the right column giving more detail; from 9 Jul 1663 entries are more detailed, contain no additions and are written across both columns; some minutes are written in shorthand; no inserts.
On front endpapers and verso of second front endpaper a scribe has practised scrolling and lettering, including the names 'Mr John Burroughs', 'Underwood', 'Miles Flesher' and 'Mr Andrew Crooke Mr Luke Tanne Wardens' and the words 'To the most reverent'. On the front pastedown is written in a different contemporary hand 'App[re]ntice turn'd over' and two paragraphs:
'Memorand[um] Primo die ffebui 1657 (whi[ch] is the date of the Indenture)
at [illegible] xi die Maii Anno Regis
Caroli S[e]c[un]di xv Comittitur A. B.
staconans duistem Aetis
Or this:
Memorand[um] 2 die April, Anno Regis
Caroli S[e]c[un]di xxi Anno d[omi]ni 1669,
Infra noiat A. B. Comititt[ur] C.d.
staconans duistem Aetis'
and two modern inscriptions: in pencil 'Wast Book 1661-1668' and in blue ink '1661-1668 note re the great fire of London November 1666 and first meetings at Bartholomew's Hospital'. On the second front endpaper is written in contemporary hands 'Ann Batt ad[illegible] to Gertrude Dawson' and, perpendicular to the horizontal, fragments of text including the words 'wee pray you'. On verso of the second endpaper is written 'Stock keepers chosen 1 Martii Renter wardens chosen at our Lady day' and a list of servants to the Company:
'Mr Shoeby of Aldeisgate Carpenter
Rob[er]t fforde of greate St Batholomewes Bricklayer
Mr Wattell of Hollydayes yard in Ludgate parish Playsterer
Mr Lansdale of Ivey Lane Cooke'
At front of volume is a list of Assistants in order of seniority, dated May 1664, and a list of notes or reminders regarding the writing of entries in the volume.
Entries in volume mention the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London, including:
26 Sep 1665: '...and likewise such other small [illegible] to the Poore from tyme to tyme (during this tyme of infection) as he shall thinke fitt...'
2 Oct 1666: 'Co[u]rt 2 October 1666 Att Cookes Hall, being the first co[u]rt after the ffire in the City...Ordered, That the Wardens provide labourers for the digging upp, and searching the ruyns, and rubbish, at Stationers Hall; and that the same be watched, day and night, at the doing thereof'.
On back endpaper are three entries:
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undated note regarding W[illia]m Hobart, apprenticed to Richardson.
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list of feoffees for the English Stock house, 3 Dec [16]55; names listed are Mr Walley, Mr Stepheno, Mr Norton, Mr Bower, Mr Man, Mr Latham, Mr Flesher and Mr Jeile.
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list of feoffees for Woodstreet House, 19 Feb [16]57 and 1 Mar [16]57; names listed are Mr Jeil, Mr Lee, Mr Thomason, Mr Robinson, Mr Thrale, Mr Daulman, Mr Norton, Mr Pulleyn and Mr Crook.
