Introducing the ILAB Provenance Guide

Over the past year, ILAB has worked closely with its national associations and with leading libraries worldwide, including national and legal deposit libraries, to better understand institutional expectations and the challenges booksellers face. Their feedback has shaped a practical, accessible resource designed to support dealers in navigating this increasingly complex area of professional practice.

The guide opens with an introduction by David Pearson, one of the world’s most respected authorities on provenance research and the history of books. His overview sets the stage for a document that shares some key considerations for booksellers, a checklist for conducting provenance research as well as recommended databases and reference tools.

This is a working document that will continue to evolve as ILAB receives further input from the trade and from our colleagues in the library world. It is intended as guidance, not legal advice, but as a shared resource to strengthen confidence, transparency, and professionalism throughout our international community.

We are delighted to make this first version available to all ILAB members and invite you to explore it and share your feedback as the project develops.