Mr. Rye's donations have been both numerous and valuable. In 1905-06 he presented his collection of prints, comprising about 700 portraits and nearly 7,000 views, which included the well-known Smith Collection. During the years 1911-16 his donations became more extensive, and were crowned by his promise made to the Committee in 1916 that he would bequeath his valuable Norfolk manuscripts and the remainder of his printed books, of which copies were not in the Library. Some of the more important manuscripts which he has given to the Library are the following: Friar Brackley's Armorial Manuscript, circa 1460--a paper volume of 142 pages, with 75 coloured drawings of arms of the Pastens and Mautbys and their matches, being the oldest Norfolk Armorial manuscript known; Collection of original manuscripts relating to the Carpenters' Company of Norwich, 1594; Rev. F. Blomefield's Original Entry Book for his "History of Norfolk," 1733-6; Norfolk Pedigrees, compiled by Peter Le Neve--a volume (86 pp.) of Norfolk pedigrees, with the arms in colours, and an index of names. For these and other gifts the Committee provided an oak exhibition case in the Reading Room in February, 1912. In May 1916 the Council placed on record its appreciation of, and grateful thanks for, Mr. Walter Rye's munificence to the Library. At the close of 1911 the Committee, having a considerable balance in hand, resolved to bid for a number of items at the auction sales of Dr. Augustus Jessopp's Library and the Townshend Heirlooms. At these sales many interesting and valuable documents relating to the history of Norfolk and Norwich were purchased for about 92 pounds, including fifteen of Dr. Jessopp's note-books and an "Address from the Gentry of Norfolk and Norwich to General Monck" in 1660, bearing the signatures of about 800 persons. The latter manuscript was published in facsimile by Messrs. Jarrold and Sons in 1913, the volume also including an introduction by Mr. Hamon Le Strange, F.S.A., biographical notes and index by Mr. Walter Rye, a catalogue of the collection of books in the Library on the Civil War period by the City Librarian, and several portraits.