How do the shelves adjust inside?

Most good examples use a wooden ratchet system. You will see vertical uprights with saw-tooth cuts running up the inside corners. Wooden cleats sit across these teeth to support the shelf.

Do they dismantle for moving?

Yes, they almost always break down into manageable pieces. A pair usually separates into four main sections, with the upper glazed cases lifting off the cupboard bases. The cornices sometimes lift off as well. You should always empty the shelves and remove the glass doors before trying to lift the upper carcase.

I have just bought an antique pair for my study and I want to know if the lower cupboards were originally intended to hold specific things?

The solid lower cupboards were designed for heavier items that did not need to be seen. Large folio volumes and unbound manuscripts often sat directly on the bottom boards. Many bases also held shallow wooden drawers hidden behind the main doors. These were used for maps, prints and estate plans that needed to lie flat to prevent rolling or creasing over time.

The glass on one of the doors is badly cracked in the corner, so should I get a glazier to replace the whole pane?

Old cylinder glass has a distinct colour and ripple that is hard to match. If you replace one pane with modern float glass, it will stand out sharply against the rest of the original panes. Leave it alone if the glass is stable. If it is loose, try to source a salvaged piece of period glass from a restorer rather than buying brand new material.

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Antique Pair of Bookcases from the 19th Century

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A true antique pair of bookcases consists of two matching freestanding units built to flank a room's architectural features, designed specifically to hold and display large domestic libraries.