Laissez Faire Books records, 1957-2008

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Summary

Creators:
Laissez Faire Books
Abstract:
Correspondence, memoranda, financial documents, catalogs, other printed matter, and photographs relating to libertarianism and publishing in the United States.
Extent:
38 manuscript boxes, 2 floppy disks (15.2 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Laissez Faire Books records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence, financial records, serial issues, photographs, and other printed matter relating to libertarianism and book publishing in the United States.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1972
Laissez Faire Books opens in New York City, founded by John Muller and Sharon Presley.
1982
Andrea and Howard Rich buy Laissez Faire Books.
1989
Laissez Faire Books moves to San Francisco, California.
1993-1995
Laissez Faire Books reaches peak revenue of $1.3 million per year.
2002
Laissez Faire Books goes bankrupt and is sold to the Foundation for Economic Education.
2003
Andrea Rich gives Kathleen Nelson Laissez Faire Books, and it is relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas.
Laissez Faire Books is sold back to Andrea and Howard Rich.
2008
Laissez Faire Books is sold to the International Society for Individual Liberty.
Laissez Faire Books announces it is going out of business.
2011
Laissez Faire Books is sold to Agora Financial LLC, and is currently still operating under this company.
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2007.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Laissez Faire Books records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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