Mark’s recent publication in The Book Collector examines East Germany’s antiquarian book trade and the export of collectibles during the Cold War—visit The Book Collector to find quarterly journals filled with similar articles about books and their collectors.
The IRS code is far more than a mechanism to collect revenue. At its core, it is the implementation of public policy. Most agree that society benefits when cultural objects are preserved by museums and universities. Our elected representatives thus enacted laws to incentivize those with large tax bills to reduce their obligations by donating rare books and other collectibles to institutions.
The most lavish and beautiful reference book in our office is Heribert Tenschert’s catalogue 48 dedicated to “Das Buch der Bücher” [THE book of books] – the bible. As recently written by Nicolas Barker in The Book Collector, “There can be no doubt that the catalogues…that Heribert Tenschert has published over the last half-century, have been the grandest, in scope and physical form, produced by any bookseller in that period.”[1] This book is massive, weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces, measuring 350 by 250mm (13 ½ by 10 inches) and comprising 536 pages of extra-thick glossy paper. The most lavish and beautiful reference book in our office is Heribert Tenschert’s catalogue 48 dedicated to “Das Buch der Bücher” [THE book of books] – the bible. As recently written by Nicolas Barker in The Book Collector, “There can be no doubt that the catalogues…that Heribert Tenschert has published over the last half-century, have been the grandest, in scope and physical form, produced by any bookseller in that period.”
Insurance on rare and antiquarian books is an important consideration for collectors, institutions, and dealers. In a recent conversation with an insurance broker specializing in the rare book market, he estimated that only 65% of established rare book dealers carry insurance. Numerous insurance carriers are pulling out of California’s insurance market due to wildfire risk. Insurance in California is available, but more expensive than it used to be. But what is the benefit of the bargain? To answer that question under US and UK law, I can recommend David Scully’s new book on fine art insurance.
