The Law Society’s librarians are used to turning up treasures. But the signature of Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the United States, tucked away in an autograph book came as a surprise. The fascinating little book, signed by Hoover at the White House in 1930, was created by solicitor Gilbert Bailey on a Law Society delegation visiting the Canadian and American bar associations.

Every member of the 130-strong delegation signed the book and its owner also managed to collect autographs of the chief justice of the US Supreme Court, the prime minister of Canada and – surprisingly shakily – the US president himself.