On Deposit: A Handshake and a Lawsuit

This essay underscores the importance of using widely recognized formal procedures and terminology in the execution of a deed of gift. The archives of the Partisan Review were accepted by Rutgers University through what now appears to be a very informal transaction. When the relationship between the prominent literary journal and the large state university changed and the Partisan Review found a new home at another university, the transaction was challenged, mostly on the meaning and use of the term deposit. The legal case brought about by that challenge is detailed, and advice for avoiding the misunderstandings that can lead to such litigation is provided.