The Obscenity and the Law collection comprises over 800 items of published materials that were at one time deemed pornographic or obscene under California law. Spanning from the late 1960s to 1976 and focusing primarily on materials from Orange County, California, this unique assemblage offers researchers a comprehensive view of legally questionable content during a pivotal period in the evolution of obscenity laws and societal norms.

The collection includes a diverse range of materials: paperback novels (from controversial mainstream works like Henry Miller's "Tropic of Capricorn" and Jacqueline Susann's "Valley of the Dolls" to more explicit titles), comic books with adult themes, glossy magazines featuring explicit photographs, and various publications depicting a wide range of sexual content from mild to extreme. All items have been used as exhibits in at least one Orange County obscenity law case, providing a direct link between the materials and their legal context.

Built through multiple acquisitions, the collection began with an initial deposit in 1971, followed by four subsequent deposits from the Orange County district attorney's office, with the last occurring in 1976. Researchers should note that while some materials may have been considered extremely provocative at the time of their confiscation, they may appear less controversial by contemporary standards. This shift in perception itself forms an integral part of the collection's research value.