Rule 1341 Historical works, books of science or art, and published maps or charts, made by persons indifferent between the parties, are not made inadmissible by…

If you are in a California court case, you can use well-known reference materials as evidence. This includes history books, science books, art books, and published maps or charts.

The key is that these materials must have been created by someone who has no connection to either side in the case. They also need to cover facts that are widely known or of general public interest, not just facts specific to your dispute.

For example, if the location of a historic boundary line is at issue, a published map showing that boundary could be brought into court as evidence. The hearsay rule, which normally blocks out-of-court statements, does not apply to these kinds of trusted, neutral reference sources.