February 23, 2004

Contact:
Barbra Gonzalez, Associate Director
954-262-5354
Mara L. Kiffin, Asst. Director
954-262-5350
Elizabeth Ninomiya, Coordinator
954-262-5309

NSU & Hosts Rare Book Exhibit – “Centuries Of Commerce: Law, Trade, Spain And The Americas ”
Collection Celebrates Historical, Cultural, And Current Economic Ties Between Spain And The Americas

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL ---The Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will host a rarely-seen collection of unique and historically significant books and documents on loan from the Illustre Collegi D'Advocats de Barcelona (the Barcelona Bar Association), on March 9 through April 4, 2004 in the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center on NSU's main campus. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

“Centuries of Commerce,” which will be seen for the first time in the United States, features materials on law, commerce and trade from 1092 AD to the early 19 th century. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the exhibit by using museum audio wands that contain information about each piece and are available free of charge.

“I am thrilled to be able to bring this unique exhibit to South Florida, and in doing so strengthen the ties between Florida and Spain ,” said Joseph D. Harbaugh, Dean of the Law Center .  “This event is particularly important to NSU because it enhances our dual degree law program with the University of Barcelona and our relationship with the Barcelona Bar Association.”

Among the documents that will be on display are:

• An unusual “commercial” will of a landowner forced to take a business trip through dangerous territory held by the Moors that designates his spouse as his heir but which is automatically voided upon his safe return. Dated 1092 AD, it is the oldest document in the ICAB collection;

• A first edition of the Il Consolato del Mare ( Barcelona 1502 AD), the original Law of the Sea that continues to influence modern maritime law. These important legal principles that regulated trade were developed in Barcelona , the leading commercial port in pre-Reformation Europe;
• An edict signed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, partners in the classic “marriage of convenience” that united the crowns of Aragon and Castile to form the country known as Spain . With fewer than five publicly held documents in existence signed by both monarchs, this piece is of special interest to Americans because of the crucial role Ferdinand and Isabella played in Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World.

During the three-week exhibit, NSU professors and guest speakers will offer public lectures on topics of historic and cultural interest. Additionally, the Alvin Sherman Library will offer programs on the ties among Spain , South Florida and the Americas to educate and entertain pre-school and elementary school children.

Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University offers a dual degree program with the University of Barcelona , which is the first dual degree between a United States and a Spanish law school. The school also ranks No. 3 in the nation for Juris Doctor degrees awarded to Hispanics.

The Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center , a joint-use facility with the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, is located at 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. , Fort Lauderdale . For more information about the Centuries of Commerce collection, visit the website at http://www.nsulaw.nova.edu/barcelona/index.cfm