A rare book on Greek antiquities has been returned to a public library in Australia approximately 150 years overdue — after being discovered bricked inside a sealed fireplace.
The volume, titled Antiquities of Athens and published in 1858, was handed back last week to the Kiama Library in the seaside town of Kiama, New South Wales. Local resident Ross Simmons found the book during recent renovations of his family home, where it had been stored inside a tea crate sealed within a fireplace.
“We’ve never had anything that old come back to us,” said library manager Michelle Hudson.
A Lost Piece of Library History
The Kiama Library opened in 1872, and Antiquities of Athens was listed as item No. 506 in its original collection of around 1,000 books. Hudson believes the book was likely lost within the first few years of the library’s operation.
Ross Simmons believes the book was borrowed by his great-great-grandfather, John Simmons, who lived in the house at the time and later served as a local alderman.
“I’m making an assumption. He was in residence in the cottage around about that time and his children were probably too young,” Simmons told the Associated Press.
The Potential Fine
Based on the original late fee of three pence per week printed inside the book, the overdue fine would today amount to around 28,000 Australian dollars (approximately €16,500–€17,000), after adjusting for inflation.
However, the library no longer has borrower records from the 1870s, so no fine will be charged.
“Unfortunately, we have a missing link. There’s nothing in the book that tells us who the last borrower was,” Hudson said.
Old Library Rules
19th-century library rules required that any overdue debt be paid before another book could be borrowed. Other regulations of the era included limits on how many books a household could borrow (based on the number of members who could read) and a ban on lending to anyone who arrived at the library “in a state of intoxication.”
Book to Stay in Local History Collection
The water-damaged volume will now form part of the library’s local history collection and will not be allowed to circulate again.
“We’re not going to allow it to go back out again. We don’t want to wait another 150 years for this book to be returned,” Hudson said.
Simmons, 77, said he was unconcerned about any potential fine. “I’ve spent a lifetime dealing with irate customers… Just stick to your guns and say do your worst.”