UPDATE: Book was recovered. Missing while in transit in Atlanta area: The Pilgrims Progress, by Rev. John Bunyan, Very Early Edition. Approximately 4 in x 6 in. The front cover was restored Significant features: Inside front cover or first page had very light notes or inscriptions and signed by the Mrs. Rev. John Bunyan. Also there were blue ink blot stains on the upper first page that bled through the next few pages. Please contact ABAA Headquarters, hq@abaa.org or (212) 944-8291, if you know the whereabouts of this item. [more UPDATED: The Pilgrim's Progress, by Rev. John Bunyan, Very Early Edition]
Security
On Thursday, 16 September, 2010 a member of the Castle staff discovered that one of the bookcases in the Castle library had been forced. Subsequent enquiries of the Librarian to The Duke of Norfolk confirmed that the following volumes have been stolen: 1. Library Catalogue: MAGNA CHARTA, opposed to Assumed Privilege: being a complete View of the late Interesting Disputes between the House of Commons and the Magistrates of London, etc. London, 1771. Octavo. Sothebys: ‘ID.2539 EB 1764 Magna Carta, Good binding, contemporary red morocco gilt, Hollis binding, 8vo, 1771. 2. Library Catalogue: NICHOLAS, Sir N.H. The History of the Battle of Agincourt and of the Expedition of Henry V into France. London, 1832. Octavo. Sothebys: ID.2540 EB 1765 Among ‘Remainder’ in Case 30 Shelf B. Any information to: Bryan McDonald bryan.mcdonald@arundelcastle.org T: 01903 882173 F: 01903 884581 [more Theft from Arundel Castle]
Received from a shop owner in Phoenix: A man brought some books to sell in each of our stores last Thursday(Sept. 23, 2010). He then attempted to steal two of our books by putting them in his bag of books. At our other location he attempted to take an Andrew Loomis book by putting in a pile of his own books. His description is: Caucasian, 50-55 yrs old, 200+ lbs. Dark hair. Wearing a dark suit, somewhat disheveled. Dark colored Honda with Maryland tags FILLED WITH BOOKS. His focus was Photography. He claimed he was traveling across the country and had stopped at several bookstores along the way. He actually gave us several booksellers' names as references before he arrived at our store. This man attempted to steal books from both of our stores and was smooth at stealing and presented himself as a somewhat knowledgeable but aloof book person. He tried to steal amidst three employees and made his moves quickly after entering the store. He was allegedly heading toward SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA from Phoenix as of Friday, September 24. Those who have open shops and specialize in Photography should be especially aware. Please contact ABAA HQ for further details. [more Book Thief Headed Toward Southern California]
Today in Marin County, an alleged book thief is scheduled to be arraigned on charges of Grand Theft, after he stole a rare book by ingesting it (yes- he ate it). Three weeks ago, the Heldfond Book Gallery contacted authorities to report the theft of a first edition of H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man. The staff was able to give a detailed description of the suspected culprit, who was behaving in a strange manner and had handled the book shortly before it disappeared. Police apprehended the suspect at the Eco Green Zen Calm cafe, where he was curled up in a booth and complaining of severe stomach cramps. The suspect was take to Marin County Hospital, where an x-ray was administered in an attempt to find the root of his pain. This is what they found:ER physician Dr. Leo McCoy said of the discovery, "We've seen many different and weird things wind up in people's stomachs over the years, but this was a real shocker." Becky Thatcher, Heldfond Book Gallery Manager, called the suspect, who has been identified as John W. Booth, an unemployed actor form San Francisco, "the Houdini of book thieves." UPDATE: Well, looks like I have been fooled (and in front of all the members before we've even met!). I spoke with Erik and apparently this story is only the creative work of an employee at Heldfond Book Gallery. Logic failed me, even while writing and wondering how anyone could possibly manage to swallow a book. Does anyone else have any strange but true stories of theft? Brazen Thief Ingests... [more Unique Theft of a Rare Book from an ABAA Member]
These items were still reported missing as of May 29, 2019. Two maps are missing, presumed stolen from the stock of Jonathan Potter Ltd: 1. (34468) "Cornwall" By John Speed. Published London, 1612-1627. Later hand colour. 2. (34964) "Carte De La Californie ..." By D.Robert De Vaugondy. Published Paris, 1770. Later hand colour. Any information, please contact: Jonathan Potter Limited 125 New Bond Street London, W1S 1DY Tel: +44 (0)20 7491 3520 Email: info@jpmaps.co.uk [more Two Maps Stolen from Jonathan Potter Ltd.]
This item was still reported missing as of May 29, 2019. Felice Feliciano: Alphabetum Romanum; 25 hand-coloured letters; publisher's full brown morocco, patterned slipcase. no. 96 of 400 copies. Officinae Bodoni 1960. If you have any information, please contact: Martin Steenson tel: +44 (0)20 7370 5593 email: martin@booksandthings.co.uk [more Felice Feliciano: Alphabetum Romanum]
These items were still missing as of May 29, 2019. AUDSLEY, W. & G. Handbook of Christian Symbolism London, Day & Son +145 pp. b&w ill. throughout, with 8 col. plates (most chromo-lithographs). All gilt edges. Slight foxing on Plate 2, else vg copy. Highly decorated cloth, Pencil signature on title page/half title. PUTNAM, J. Pickering (1847-1917) The Open Fire-place in All Ages Boston, James E Osgood and Company Ist edition. 202pp, 35 plates and 223 text figures. Illustrated in black and white with line illustrations. Decorated cloth with paste down illustration on front board. Very good indeed. Ist edition. 202pp, 35 plates and 223 text figures. Illustrated in black and white with line illustrations. Decorated cloth with paste down illustration on front board. Very good indeed. If you have any information about either of these books, please contact Janette Ray Booksellers immediately: tel: 01904 62088 email: books@janetteray.co.uk [more Two Missing Titles from Janette Ray Booksellers]
These items were still missing as of May 29, 2019. 1. LAVEDAN, Don Antonio. Tratado de los Usos, Abusos, Propiedades y Virtudes del Tabaco, Cafe, Te y Chocolate: Extractado de los Mejores autores Que Han Tratado de esta Materia, A fin de Que su Uso No Perjudique a la Salud, Antes Bien Pueda Servir de Alivio y Curacion de Muchos Males. Madrid: En la Imprenta Rea, 1796l. Octavo, full treecalf over boards, red morocco gilt lettered label on spine, marbled endpapers. Front board a little bowed, faint stamps on front and rear cover "Withdrawn State College of Washington Library", edges a little rubbed, library label tipped to front pastedown, rubberstamp from "Early Birds Club, Mexico" on verso of title page, library number at bottom margin of ff "A", terminal free endpaper with two small holes at bottom, light occasional foxing; albeit a nice tight copy. Second edition with an errata leaf. A history of the uses, abuses and the properties and virtues of tobacco, coffee, tea and chocolate. The first part deals with tobacco, its history, its preparation by the Indians, its uses including its medicinal uses and the favourable conditions for its use. It also talks about climate and conditions for growing tobacco, as well as the beneficial uses of dry and pulverized tobacco. The other parts deal with coffee, tea and chocolate in a similar manner. . Book id# 19835. Missing since June 2007 2. BLANCKLEY, Thomas Riley. A Naval Expolitor, Shewing and Explaining the Words and Terms of Art Be... [more Randall House Reports Two Missing Books]
This item was still missing as of May 29, 2019. FEUILLET, Octave. Le Sphinx. Drame en Quatre Actes. Paris: Michel Levy Freres. Illustrated. Octavo, full green morocco with blue and red morocco inlays, all decorated with gilt, heavy gilt spine with raised bands, inner gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, by Vermorel, with original wrappers bound in. Fine. First edition with ALs by the author and a “carte de visite” from the play tipped in. Bound in is a two page ALs from Feuillet as well as the original drawing of the Sphinx used for the binding. Original wrappers bound in. The play itself premiered at the Theatre François in Paris March 23, 1874. Book id# 683. Missing/Stolen since March 2008. Any information, please contact: Randall House Rare Books Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-963-1909 Missing/stolen since March 2008 Randall House Rare Books Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-963-1909 [more Feuillet's 'Le Sphinx']
ABBOTT, Jack. A Treatise on Jack Pot Poker. New Orleans, 1881. 12mo. Original black pebbled cloth, black glazed paper side-label, printed in gold. One tiny nick in the upper joint, else a very fine copy in original state. Housed in a smart black half morocco slipcase. Any information, please, contact: Natalie Galustian 22 Cecil Court London WC2N 4HE, UK tel: +44 207 240 6822 books@nataliegalustian.com [more Theft of 'A Treatise on Jack Pot Poker']