Items related to King's Inns and the Battle of the Books, 1972
Kenny recounts a major cultural controversy that marked the recognition of the King's Inns Library as an important part of the heritage of modern Ireland. In 1972 thousands of non-law books from King's Inns were sold at Sotheby's in London. The row that ensued involved many well-known people including Cearbhall à Dálaigh, Mary Robinson and Charles J. Haughey. The sale was criticized as the random dispersal of an irreplaceable collection and it raises vital questions about the proper care of libraries, about the relationship of general knowledge to professional expertise and about the problematic nature of Irish identity in a post-colonial era. The books were sold because King's Inns was in financial difficulty, a difficulty exacerbated by the fact that the benchers had recently renovated their kitchens. The government was kept informed by the benchers of their plans but failed to respond to a proposal that might have resulted in all of the volumes remaining in Ireland. Kenny suggests means of avoiding acrimony or major controversy in connection with any possible disposal of books by King's Inns Library in the future.
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- PublisherFour Courts Press Ltd
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 1851826866
- ISBN 13 9781851826865
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages192
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King's Inns and the Battle of the Books, 1972
Published by
Four Courts Press Ltd
(2002)
ISBN 10: 1851826866
ISBN 13: 9781851826865
Used
Hardcover
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. 2002. Hardcover. Scarce. Very good copy in good dustwrappers. Previous owners name to FFEP. DW has light shelf wear, remains very good. . . . . Seller Inventory # KCW0019411
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King's Inns and the Battle of the Books, 1972
Published by
Four Courts Press Ltd
(2002)
ISBN 10: 1851826866
ISBN 13: 9781851826865
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. 2002. Hardcover. Scarce. Very good copy in good dustwrappers. Previous owners name to FFEP. DW has light shelf wear, remains very good. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # KCW0019411
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King's Inns and the Battle of the Books, 1972 - Cultural Controversy at a Dublin Library
Published by
Four Courts Press, Dublin
(2002)
ISBN 10: 1851826866
ISBN 13: 9781851826865
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. xvii, 192 pages. Illustrations. Original publisher's cloth, spine lettered gilt, with unclipped dust jacket. Published in association with The Irish Legal History Society. *** The author recalls a major cultural controversy that marked the recognition of the King's Inns Library as an important part of the heritage of modern Ireland. In 1972, thousands of non-law books from Kings Inns were sold at Sotheby's in London. The row that ensued involved many well-known people including Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, Mary Robinson and Charles J. Haughey. The sale was criticised as the ''random dispersal of an irreplaceable collection' and it raises vital questions about the proper care of libraries, about the relationship of general knowledge to professional expertise and about the problematic nature of Irish identity in a post-colonial era. The books were sold because the society of King's Inns was in financial difficulty, a difficulty exacerbated by the fact that the benchers had recently renovated their kitchens. The government was kept informed by the benchers of their plans but failed to respond to a proposal that might have resulted in all of the volumes remaining in Ireland. Colum Kenny sets the events of 1972 in their historical context, giving an account of the foundation and subsequent growth of the library itself. *** Previous owner's stamp on title-page, otherwise near fine copy without any damage, library stamps, inscriptions or other markings. Seller Inventory # 002547
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