Dave McLaren published this record of all rugby literature known to him (and many local and overseas collectors who helped him with book details) at July 1985. This was pre-internet days so everything was done via leg-work and letter writing. A second (updated) edition was published in 1990 and was 56 pages greater than the first edition. This was a tremendous effort by Dave, and many (most, if not all) collectors and historians use Dave’s book as a record of what they have – and what they don’t. Once the internet became available, especially Google and online auctions, the number of previously “unknown” books grew quickly. The ability to pick up gems, which were previously unobtainable, became reality. Dave’s books set the mark for records of rugby literature.

The South African version of John Jenkins Compendium. This lists all the Rugby books published in South Africa to 1989

The French version of John Jenkins Compendium. This lists all the Rugby books published in France to 1994

A global record of all Rugby themed stamps, postal stationeries, telefax paper, cancellations, semi-official cancellations and meter marks. Published in Italy

John Jenkins (and others) produced a magnificent work detailing “a bibliography of books on rugby union published in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland in any language, and of books on rugby union published in the English language anywhere in the rest of the world.” The cut off date was December 1997. The work is so comprehesive, and accurate, that any book dealer who finds a book that is “not in Jenkins” realises how rare it must be. The scope for inclusion (and exclusion) is explained so as to keep the records manageable. Exclusions include newspapers, boys annuals, programmes, etc. Note that there is a similar volume for works published in France (Lire Le Rugby by Christian Stierle) and in South Africa (South African Rugby 1889-1989 – A Bibliography of Monographs)