This series comprises 82 boxes, containing over 900 individual files, relating to press coverage received by books published by John Murray, publishers. Files primarily contain original press cuttings of reviews, features, and author interviews from newspapers, magazines, and other published sources, with some photocopies also present. In most cases cuttings are accompanied by press cutting bureau tags noting the press titles in which they appeared and the date of publication. In certain cases, where multiple press files appear for one book title, one file will usually contain press cuttings whilst the remaining files will contain general publicity correspondence and promotional material such as press contacts lists, flyers or order forms, and book jacket proofs. Where no scope notes appear for a file, users can assume only original press cuttings are present.

The press files series concludes with additional press files concerning author obituaries and brief author press cuttings.

The corresponding book file references for each named title have also been noted at file level, where possible, to allow for ease of cross-referencing with the book file collection at MSS.43565-49999.