"These people can be scholars, overseas Chinese or common people," Shan says.

Chairman Mao Zedong donated three pieces of calligraphy written by 17th century calligrapher Wang Fuzhi. They are now housed in the Palace Museum.

Work on the book began in 2010, amid calls for tighter regulation of the booming antiques market.

"The actions of these selfless collectors and high-minded idealists hold a mirror to those mercenary antique dealers and counterfeiters in the market, showing them for who they really are," Shan says.

According to Qu Zhong, general manager of Beijing Publishing Group, seven more volumes in the series will be published by the end of the year. The entire series will comprise 60 volumes.

Most of the donors who made major contributions in the early years of New China have died and their children are often unaware of the details of their parents' old stories.

Qu says more time is needed to properly research the old files pertaining to the cultural relics.

"The books are not only a cultural project, but also a way in which to save historical memory."