Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1240

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.2 linear feet (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Law Association of Philadelphia Library records, 1879-1897 (bulk: 1881-1882), Ms. Coll. 1240, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1879-1897 (inclusive) and 1881-1882 (bulk)

Creator:

Law Association of Philadelphia. Library‏

Form:

Advertisements, Manuscripts (documents), and Receipts (financial records)

Abstract:

The Law Association of Philadelphia was chartered in 1827, formed by the union of the Law Library Company and the Associated Members of the Bar of Philadelphia, and charged with keeping a law library. Over the years, the Law Association of Philadelphia Library became the Law Library of the Philadelphia Bar Association (1931) and the Theodore F. Jenkins Memorial Law Library (1967). This collection contains receipts, ephemera, and manuscripts from 1879 to 1897, presenting a near-daily record of the Law Association's highly regarded library during 1881 and 1882 and documenting the Association's efforts to maintain an up-to-date library.

The Law Association of Philadelphia was chartered in 1827, formed by the union of the Law Library Company, established in 1802, and the Associated Members of the Bar of Philadelphia. According to its charter, one of the purposes of the Law Association of Philadelphia was to keep a law library. As such, a Library Committee consisting of twelve members and the treasurer were charged with general supervision of the library, the purchasing of books, and the appointment and discharge of the librarian and assistants. The library was essentially non-lending and was open to judges and the courts of Pennsylvania and the United States and members of the Law Association. For a fee, members of the bar who were not members of the Law Association were permitted to use the library; similarly, others were given access by permission of the Law Association.

Over the years, the Law Association of Philadelphia Library became the Law Library of the Philadelphia Bar Association (1931) and the Theodore F. Jenkins Memorial Law Library (1967).

This collection contains receipts, ephemera and manuscripts from the Law Association of Philadelphia library from 1879 to 1897, presenting a near-daily record of the Law Association's highly regarded library during 1881 and 1882. The receipts for books and periodicals from the United States, Canada, and England, including treaties, reports, and digests, document the Association's efforts to maintain an up-to-date library.

The collection is arranged in four series: I. Receipts for books and periodicals, II. Receipts for maintenance and operations, III. Ephemera, and IV. Law manuscripts. The first series, Receipts for books and periodicals, dates from 1881 and 1882 and includes receipts for journal subscriptions and receipts for books purchased from Kay and Brother; Soule & Bugbee; T. & J.W. Johnson & Co., and a number of others. There are numerous receipts written on letterhead of the Library of the Law Association, which may have been for buying books from members or reimbursing members for purchases made on behalf of the library. Journals purchased include: Legal Intelligencer, Weekly Notes on Cases, Pittsburgh Legal Journal, American and English Railroad Cases, Hubbell's Legal Directory, Washington Law Reporter, Chicago Legal News, Pacific Coast Law Journal, and Irish Reports.

The second series, Receipts for maintenance and operations, dates from 1881 to 1888 and contains receipts for bookshelves, library furnishings, postage, building maintenance, insurance, bookbinding, payroll, etc. Researchers will find receipts for rent paid to the Philadelphia Athenaeum, as well as payroll receipts from 1882 for five library employees. Bookbinders used by the Law Association of Philadelphia library included Pawson and Nicholson and J.L.H. Bayne.

Series III. Ephemera, dates from 1879 to circa 1882 and includes a sixteen page pamphlet prospectus for "Lewis's Blackstone," a partly-printed notice of election to the Law Academy of Philadelphia, and an advertizing circular for an 1882 legal directory of the United States to be published by the National Law and Collection Association.

Series IV. Law manuscripts includes three manuscripts which are undated and appear to be student notes on legal opinions on the rules of evidence, hearsay, property law, etc. and an "Entry of Judgment nunc pro tunc."