UPDATE (12/04/2020): All but one of the titles on this list have been recovered. Still missing is the following title: 1. Attavante Degli Attavanti, Cicle of. ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM - BOOK OF HOURS, USE OF ROME. NORTH ITALY, probably Florence, about 1480 Armorial binding of the late eighteenth century with the coat of King Ferdinand IV of Naples Rubricated initials in red and blue, many watermarked, 11 miniatures including 4 at full page. Content: Officium Beatae Mariae Virginis, ll. 1-126v; Officium Mortuorum, ll. 127-208v; VII Psalmi Penitentiales, ll. 209-252v; Officium Sancte Crucis, ll. 253-258v L. 1 recto: Incipit Officium Beate Marie Virginis secundum consuetudinem Romane curie. L. 258 verso: Explicit officium sancta crucis Deo Gratias Amen. The presence of Saint Zenobius in the Litany, on leave 236v, suggests Florence as the most likely source of this fascinating book of Hours. It was the first bishop of the city, and his relics are preserved in Santa Maria del Fiore, in an urn masterpiece by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Books of significant value were stolen from a West London warehouse on the night of 29th January while in transit for the California Book Fair. A full police investigation is underway. A list of titles can be found here. A further list will be circulated as soon as possible. If anyone offers you any of these titles, please contact the Police SCD6-ArtandAntiquesUnit@met.police.uk and quote crime reference number 0502127/17, ABA Secretary Camilla Szymano... [more Significant Warehouse Theft in London]
Security
The Security Chair of ILAB recently issued the following alert: Recently several ILAB members have noticed a purported 'presentation copy' of the first edition of the 'Origin of Species', inscribed by Charles Darwin, that was offered for sale in New England. The inscription reads 'Yours faithfully – Ch Darwin'. If authentic it would be the only known copy of the first edition of the 'Origin' inscribed by Darwin. However, the inscription is in fact a concoction taken from a Darwin letter of April 12, 1874, in the University of Missouri, easily accessible online. ILAB members should be on the alert if they are offered, or have been involved in handling this copy. [more Fake Darwin Inscription]
On December 1, 1997, I sent an e-mail to many booksellers in New England and the eastern United States, alerting them that a copy of the first edition of James Joyce's Ulysses had been stolen from my bookstore. That was 19 years ago, and the book is still missing. Here are the details: Joyce, James: Ulysses. Paris, Shakespeare & Co, 1922, first edition, #543/1000 copies of the issue not signed by Joyce. The book had recently been recased in quarter blue morocco and blue cloth, matching the original blue wrappers, which, in fine condition, are bound in. A matching clamshell box, which was left behind, is still in my possession. A police report was filed at the time. I mention this 19 years later with the thought that the thief, who presumably has been in possession on the book for nearly two decades might at some point wish to sell it. Barbara Farnsworth, Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB Tel: 860-672-6571 bfbooks@farnsworthbooks.com [more Still Missing: James Joyce Ulysses]
These items are still missing as of 8/14/2019. Three books have been reported as stolen from a private residence in Philadelphia, PA: Peralta Barnuevo, Pedro de. Lima fundada (2 vols). Lima, 1732. Peralta Barnuevo, Pedro de. Observationes Astronomicae. Lima, 1717. If you have information, or believe you have been offered these items, please contact: Det. Ryan Moore (215) 747-1151 ryan.moore@phila.gov [more Theft of 3 Peralta Books]
We have received news of a theft from a private residence in Sharon, CT. Missing is a set of Lutheran bibles, dated mid-17thC, no fewer than 6, no more than 8, each measuring 15" tall, 12" wide and 4.5" thick, each with a metal clasp. The title below has been lifted from a description of the same title currently available on ABE. While we are not sure of the date, there were evidently five editions of this title between 1555 and 1600. Der Erste (-Achte) Teil aller Bücher und Schrifften des thewren/seligen Mans Gottes Doct. Mart. Lutheri/vom XVII. jar an/bis auff das XXII. Zum Vierdten mal gedruct , nebst Index. Martin Luther (* 10.11.1483 in Eisleben, Graftschaft Mansfeld; + 18.02.1546 ebenda) Published by Thomas Rebarts Erben / Donatum Richtzenhan, 1572 Individuals with information on this theft can contact: Tpr Jeremy Ribadeneyra Connecticut State Police Troop B 463 Ashley Falls Rd North Canaan, CT 860-626-1820 x1033 [more Theft of Bibles from Sharon, CT]
The box containing letters apparently taken by unknown persons from outside residence: John Muir ALS August 2, 1908 to Mr Young August 20, 1904 to Mr Ray April 11, 1909 to W G Chapman Feb 9, 1910 to H L Abbott April 12, 1906 to an editor If offered, please contact ABAA Member George Houle. [more Missing: 5 John Muir Letters Shipped by UPS to Montello, WI]
A theft of a number of maps and prints focused on Arctic Exploration, Ethnography, and Circumpolar Navigation has been reported in Juneau, Alaska. Please contact our offices at the ABAA if you have any information reguarding these items. [more Stolen in Juneau, Alaska]
Update: These books have been recovered. The ABAA has recently become aware of a theft which occurred in May from PRPH books. If you have information, or believe you may have been offered either of the items below, please contact Fabrizio Govi (gfabbrig@gmail.com), from whom these books were consigned. De Chyromantia libri III authoris ciusdam vetustissimi per Joannem DRYANDRUM restituti Marpurgi, anno MDXXXVIII. Tibet, Antioco (1528) 8vo; 18th-century full vellum over boards, spine with label and gilt title; 138 , (5, of which the last is a blank) pp. With four full-page chiromantic hands and several zodiacal and planetary illustrations in the text. Some light browning, but a very good copy. RARE SECOND EDITION (the first printed in Bologna in 1494 is extremely rare and is virtually impossibile to find on the market) of the first comprehensive treatise on palmistry. All the most famous subsequent authors on the subjects are somehow indebted to Tiberti (cf. G. Sabbatini, Bio-bibliografia chiromantica, Reggio Emilia, 1946, pp. 92-94). This edition, which was reprinted in 1541, does not bear Tiberti's name on the title-page. The original dedication by Tiberti to Ottavio Ubaldino, earl of Mercatello, is followed by a new dedication addressed by the editor Johannes Dryander to the Mainz nobleman Johann Furderer de Richtenfels. The text of the two Mainz editions differs significantly from that of the first Bologna edition, a thing that can only be explained by the fact that Dryand... [more 2 Books Stolen from PRPH]
Bezalel silver binding with 4 blue stones and etched designs, c. 1920, housing a Hebrew Bible, approximately 5” x 4”. Owner thinks book was inscribed – possibly in Hebrew – to “Albert” or “Eliezer,” Reported stolen in Tucson, AZ in January 2016. Book was possibly sold to a pawn shop in Tucson, AZ and subsequently sold by the pawn broker. Please report any information to David Waxman at Estates of Mind (on behalf of the owner). Email: estatesofmind@gmail.com. Tel: (516) 487-5160. [more Missing from Tucson, AZ]
Reported missing: a first edition of LOLITA, likely removed from its custom box and taken from RLD Books in Kennett Square, Penna. on either 16 June 2016 or 17 June 2016. Nabokov, Vladimir. LOLITA. Paris: Olympia Press, 1955. First edition. 12mo. Original green wrappers. 188/223 pages. Very good. Prince on back of vol. 1 has sticker with new price 1200 fr. Prince on vol. 2 is 900 fr. indicating title is correct first edition. Light edgewear to spines and previous owner's name on ffep of vol. 2. Some pencil notations to penultimate end paper in rear of vol. 2. Top half-inch corner of vol. 2 back cover is missing. Overall an attractive set of this fragile classic. (Protected by Mylar jackets. REMOVED from custom box.) If you are offered the book, please contact Roz duPont RLD books 111 S. Union St Kennett Square PA ph (610) 444-8334 roz@rldbookstore.com [more Missing from Kennett Square, PA]