Instructor: Anthony Taussig

This one-day workshop is for lawyers, librarians, historians, and private collectors, who are actively involved in collecting rare law books and legal manuscripts or who are interested in starting such a collection. It will provide a unique opportunity to share the experience and insights of a practicing lawyer who is also a leading collector in the field.

Participants will get an in-depth introduction to the market in rare law books and manuscripts, including the structure and economics of the market, dealers, auction houses, valuation, price trends, and the impact of the Internet. A session on rare law books and other printed materials will cover the reasons for collecting, differences between institutional and private collectors, and different approaches to collecting. A session on legal manuscripts will discuss their special characteristics, their wide variety, the reasons why (in recent years) they have been largely neglected by institutional and private collectors, and the opportunities in the field. For illustration, Mr. Taussig will use numerous examples from his own collection and from the Tarlton Law Library's Rare Books & Special Collections.

The workshop will focus on the practicalities of collecting. Participants will receive guidance on buying and selling rare books and manuscripts and a demonstration of valuation and pricing. There will be ample opportunities for discussion and active participation.

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