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Articles - May - 2006 Issue

$1 Million of Stolen Books Recovered

- by Michael Stillman

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What can we take from these ominous, though thankfully happy-ending stories? Here are a few thoughts:

(1). Libraries still need to do more to improve their security.

(2). The ABAA's stolen book notice program is working.

(3). Do not hide your stolen merchandise in a drug lab. You will only double your trouble when caught.

(4). If someone offers you $100,000 worth of books for $11,000, it may not be the wonderful deal it at first appears.

(5). Crime does not pay.

We are happy these Mormon texts are now back where they belong, but suspect that we have not heard the last story of this kind.

Editor's Note: Bookstore owner Bret Eborn, who purchased two items, clarifies some issues in this article, including that an exaggerated value for the pieces was initially reported. These books were not quite as valuable on a collecting basis as originally believed. His response can be found in the Letters to the Editor dated 10/11/2006. Click here.

Rare Book Monthly

  • <b><center>Sotheby's<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts & More<br>Available for Immediate Purchase</center></b> <b>Sotheby’s:</b> William Shakespeare.<br><i>The Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare,</i> 1960. 7,210 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Charles Dickens.<br><i>A Christmas Carol,</i> First Edition, 1843. 17,500 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> William Golding.<br><i>Lord of the Flies,</i> First Edition, 1954. 5,400 USD <b><center>Sotheby's<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts & More<br>Available for Immediate Purchase</center></b> <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Lewis Carroll.<br><i>Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There,</i> Inscribed First Edition, 1872. 25,000 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> J.R.R. Tolkien.<br><i>The Hobbit,</i> First Edition, 1937. 12,000 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> John Milton.<br><i>Paradise Lost,</i> 1759. 5,400 USD
    Sotheby's
    Fine Books, Manuscripts & More
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: William Shakespeare.
    The Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare, 1960. 7,210 USD
    Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens.
    A Christmas Carol, First Edition, 1843. 17,500 USD
    Sotheby’s: William Golding.
    Lord of the Flies, First Edition, 1954. 5,400 USD
    Sotheby's
    Fine Books, Manuscripts & More
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: Lewis Carroll.
    Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, Inscribed First Edition, 1872. 25,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: J.R.R. Tolkien.
    The Hobbit, First Edition, 1937. 12,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: John Milton.
    Paradise Lost, 1759. 5,400 USD

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