Conference: The Written Heritage of Mankind in Peril

The Written Heritage of Mankind in Peril: Theft, Retrieval, Sale and Restitution of rare books, maps and manuscripts 

Seminar, British Library London, 26 June 2015 

The theft of and illicit trafficking in rare books, maps and manuscripts looted from sovereign and other libraries and similar repositories around the world is a global problem that threatens the preservation of the recorded history of mankind. Remarkably, however, there have been few conferences devoted to the examination of the many issues that pertain to this problem.

Consequently, the Art Law Commission of the UIA has teamed up with the British Library and the Institute of Art and Law in London to invite those who deal with rare books and other priceless written materials, including representatives of dealers, collectors, auction houses, national collections, law enforcement officials, security experts, attorneys and others, to present a full-day comprehensive seminar devoted to a thorough review of the many aspects of this global epidemic.

Upon the conclusion of the seminar, the various participants and attendees will be encouraged to continue the discussion throughout the following year to address the problems raised and begin to develop a comprehensive set of principles that we hope will lead to the development of solutions to prevent widespread theft and trafficking and restore stolen items to their rightful owners for the benefit of everyone. The plan would be to then hold a follow up seminar in New York in 2016 to assess progress in this area and plan future actions.

Organised by the UIA, the British Library and the Institute of Art and Law

Programme

08.30-09.00
Registration, coffee
09.00-09.30
Welcome Address
Kristen Jensen, Head of Collections and Curation, British Library
Introductory Key-Note: Manuscripts as Chattels and Chattels as Manuscripts: How archives, books and manuscripts relate to cultural material at large
Professor Norman Palmer QC (Hon) CBE FSA, Barrister, Expert Adviser to the Spoliation Advisory Panel, Chair of the Treasure Valuation Committee 2001-2011
09.30-10.00
Panel I – The Extent of the Problem: Notorious Examples of Rare Book Theft

– Ivan Boserup, Former Head of Manuscripts and Rare Books, The Royal Library, Copenhagen
– Margaret Lane Ford, International Head of Books and Manuscripts, Christie’s, New York
– Professor Keun-Gwan Lee, Professor of Law, Seoul National University

Moderator:  Giuseppe Calabi, CBM&Partners, Milano
10.40-11.00 Coffee break
11.00-12.00
Panel II – The Legal Framework for Retrieving Stolen Books: An International Case Study

– Sharon Cohen Levin, partner at WilmerHale and former Chief, Money Laundering & Asset Forfeiture Unit, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York
– Jerker Ryden, Senior Legal Advisor, National Library of Sweden
– Jutta Freifrau von Falkenhausen, Lawyer, Berlin

Moderator:  Howard N Spiegler, Partner and Co-Chair, Art Law Group, Herrick, Feinstein LLP
12.00-12.30
Key-Note II –  The Protection of Ancient Books and Manuscripts: the Turkish Experience
Professor Sibel Özel, Head of Private International Law, Marmara Üniversitesi, Istabul
12.30-13.30 Lunch break
13.30-14.30
Panel III – The Perspective of the Rare Book Trade

– Richard Aronowitz-Mercer, Head of Restitution Europe at Sotheby's, London
– Norbert Donhofer, President of International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB)
– Stephen Loewentheil, Founder and President of 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop, Baltimore

Moderator: Monica Dugot, International Director of Restitution, Christie’s
14.30-15.30
Panel IV
Preventing the Theft and Trafficking of Rare Books

– Greger Bergvall, Manuscripts, Maps and Pictures Division, National Library of Sweden
– Denis Bruckmann, Director of Collections, Bibliothèque Nationale de France
– Christian Recht, Senior Legal Advisor, Österreichisch Nationalbibliothek, Wien

Moderator:  Kristian Jensen, Head of Collections and Curation, British Library
15.30-16.00 Coffee break
16.00-17.00
Concluding Discussion: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future

– Norbert Donhofer, President of ILAB
– Kristian Jensen, Head of Collections and Curation, British Library
– Sharon Cohen Levin, partner at WilmerHale and former Chief, Money Laundering & Asset Forfeiture Unit, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York
– Hetty Gleave, Partner, Hunters Solicitors, London

 Moderator:  Gerd-Jan van den Bergh, Bergh Stoop & Sanders, Amsterdam
17.00
End of Conference – Wine reception

More info

The Written Heritage of Mankind in Peril: Theft, Retrieval, Sale and Restitution of rare books, maps and manuscripts - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/events/the-written-heritage-of-mankind-in-peril#sthash.sltg4eQg.EEPn6E0l.dpuf

The Written Heritage of Mankind in Peril: Theft, Retrieval, Sale and Restitution of rare books, maps and manuscripts - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/events/the-written-heritage-of-mankind-in-peril#sthash.sltg4eQg.EEPn6E0l.dpuf