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Legal Curiosities: What am I?

Posted by: Clare Feikert-Ahalt

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I had an idea the other day to try and test the observational skills and knowledge of our readers, as well as highlight some of the items in the Law Library’s vast collection.

I intentionally put a book on the wrong shelf.  To my librarian colleagues who came to me with heart palpitations that I misplaced a book on the shelves, please do not worry, I made sure that I put it back in its proper place afterwards.  Can you tell from the (intentionally blurry) picture and the clues which item it is?  Books

  • I am over one hundred years old and one of nine.
  • Legal scholars, professionals and students alike rely on me.
  • I provide both history and clarity.
  • I am cited by courts, even the Supreme Court takes note of me.
  • I am mobile and can fit in your pocket or sit on your desk.
  • Yes, there is an app for me.
  • I have been translated many, many times.

What am I?

Comments (12)

  1. Humble Library Employee says:

    Black’s Law Dictionary?

  2. Stephen says:

    Hmm, Black’s Law Dictionary?

  3. Greg Lambert says:

    I’m going to guess “Black’s Law Dictionary”??

  4. Cynthia silva says:

    Magna carta ?

  5. Julie says:

    Black’s?

  6. Paula says:

    Black’s law dictionary

  7. David says:

    Is it Robert’s Rules of Order?

  8. Margaretq says:

    John Bouvier
    A Law Dictionary: Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States and the Serveral States of the American Unio…

  9. kiyohisa Tanada says:

    I imagine “a fairy encyclopedia”.

  10. Shameema Rahman says:

    This is our Constitution.

  11. Zoya says:

    nine editions so far, first in 1890s, pocket eiditons later, an app… Must be Black’s

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