Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
We report on a search for QSOs via variability and zero-proper motion. Candidates were selected by means of indices for overall variability, long-term variability, proper motion and image structure measured on a large number of Schmidt plates with a time-baseline of three decades. Spectroscopic follow-up observations of the candidates brighter than the pre-estimated completeness limit, Blim ≈ 19.7, of the survey revealed about 200 QSOs and Seyfert 1s with redshifts z ≈ 0 — 3. We describe the survey strategy and discuss the properties of the resulting QSO sample.