On November 18, 2010, the following items were stolen from the Complete Travel and Antiquated Bookstore: -3 Volume set of Richard Burton's Journey to Mecca and Medina -Limited, signed edition of The Holy Land AMC Black publishers -2 Polish volumes of Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell -First edition of Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell with dust jacket and slipcover -Revolt in the Desert by T.E. Lawrence The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 40 years old, medium build, dark hair, possibly Eastern European but spoke fluent English. If you have any information, please contact: Detective James M. Knight, NYPD 212-826-3217 James.Knight@NYPD.org [more Several Items Stolen from the Complete Travel and Antiquated Bookstore in NY, NY]

These books were still reported missing as of May 29, 2019. Over the last few months books belonging to the "Botanical Library of Harrison G. Yocum" have gone missing from Tucson, Arizona. These range in age from seventeenth century botanical works to modern books on plants and gardening. They can be identified by the owner's name "Harrison G. Yocum" and/or the statement "Botanical Library of Harrison G. Yocum" on a Front endpaper in a flowery handwriting. To the best of our knowledge NO Books from this collection have as yet been legitimately deaccessioned by the current owners. At least one ABAA member has already been contacted concerning one or more volumes. We would appreciate any information concerning books from this Collection and the individual(s) offering this material. Thank you for your assistance. Michelle G. Conklin, CFRE Executive Director Tucson Botanical Gardens 520.326.9686 ext 15 email: execdirector@tucsonbotanical.org [more Books Missing from the "Botanical Library of Harrison G. Yocum"]

Several volumes from an Antique Shakespeare collection were stolen in Berkeley, CA on October 21, 2010. TITLE: The Plays and Poems of Shakespeare With a Life, Glossarial Notes, and One Hundred and Seventy Illustrations from the plates in Boydell's Edition PUBLISHER: A. J. Valpy, London DATE: 1832-1833 DESCRIPTION: Volumes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 14 stolen from 15-volume collection. Brown leather binding with gilt trim. Marbled end-papers. Name in white sticker on inside front cover: Leon and May Levy If you have any information regarding any of these volumes, please contact Melissa Schwarz (510) 644-2344. [more Several Volumes of Antique Shakespeare Collection Stolen]

From Dragon Books: We recently discovered that our first edition in jacket of Fitzgerald's "Tender Is the Night" has been stolen from our shop in Los Angeles. The theft occurred sometime between the afternoon of Wednesday October 6th and this morning October 8th. If you have any information at all, or if someone offers you a copy in a nice jacket please contact us and the police. In addition, we are missing a signed first edition of William Carlos Williams' "The Wedge" , re-backed with the original spine laid-down. Front fly-leaf has inscription "Dexter Puritan /his book/ William Carlos Williams." If you have any information on these books, please contact Cassandra Joffre at Dragon Books by telephone,  (310) 441-8545, or email, cassandra@dragonbooks.com. [more Dragon Books Reports Thefts]

Andrelini, Publio Fausto. DE SCIOLORUM ARROGANTIA PROVERBIALIS EPISTOLA. Paris: in Adibus Ascensianis. (1519). 4to. 8 leaves. The title leaf displays the woodcut printer's device for Badius. Bound in modern leather-backed marbled boards. Old faded number stamped on title and a small hole in a blank portion of the final leaf. If you have any information regarding this book, please contact ABAA Headquarters at hq@abaa.org or (212) 944-8291. [more Andrelini's 'De Sciolorum Arrogantia Proverbialis Epistola']

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]

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.]