1. In Roman Antiquity, a tablet on which the praetor's edicts and other public notices were recorded for public information; afterwards extended to other lists.
2. A blank book in which to insert autographs, memorial verses, original drawings, or other souvenirs.
3. A book at public places in which visitors enter their names.

According to Samuel Johnson in his A Dictionary of the English Language, an album is a book in which foreigners have long been accustomed to inserting the autographs of celebrated people.