MELBOURNE, Australia — A book on Greek antiquities, titled Antiquities of Athens and published in 1858, has been returned to an Australian public library about 150 years late. The book was found with water damage after being bricked into a sealed fireplace.
The book was returned last week to Kiama Library, located in the seaside town of Kiama, by local resident Ross Simmons. Simmons discovered the book inside a tea crate during recent renovations of his home. Kiama Library manager Michelle Hudson said, “We’ve never had anything that old come back to us.” She added that typically returned items are only 30 to 40 years overdue.
Ross Simmons told The Associated Press he believes the book was borrowed by his great-great-grandfather, John Simmons, who owned the house where the book was found. He noted that John Simmons was living in the cottage around the time the book was borrowed and that his children were probably too young to have taken it.
The library, which opened in 1872, had the book marked as No. [number not specified]. Michelle Hudson estimated that the late return fine, adjusted for inflation, would be around 28,000 Australian dollars (approximately $19,500). Ross Simmons, 77, responded to the potential fine by saying, “Just stick to your guns and say do your worst.”
Hudson expressed hope that the book would not take another 150 years to be returned in the future.
Loading comments.