150-year-overdue library book returned after discovery in fireplace
Consensus Summary
A book titled *The Antiquities of Athens*, published in 1858, was returned to the Kiama Library after being overdue for 150 years. It was discovered inside a tea chest bricked into a fireplace during a home renovation in Kiama. The library estimates the fine for the late return would have been $28k, based on historical overdue fees of three pence per week. The book was the 506th item in the library’s collection, which opened in 1872. Both sources agree the book will be preserved in the library’s special collection and not loaned again. The ABC provides additional details about the book’s condition and historical borrowing rules, while the Guardian notes the original library journal from the 1870s is missing, making it impossible to identify the last borrower.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The book *The Antiquities of Athens* was returned after being 150 years late
- The book was published in 1858
- The book was discovered inside a tea chest bricked into a fireplace during a renovation in Kiama
- The library’s estimated fine for the overdue book is $28k (A$28,000)
- The book was the 506th item added to the Kiama Library’s collection
- The library opened in 1872
- The book contains 70 black-and-white illustrations
- The book was borrowed when the library operated out of the Kiama School of Arts building
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The book was stored in a special archival-quality box to preserve its condition
- The library’s borrowing rules in 1872 included a fine of 5 shillings for disorderly behavior and restricted loans to one volume per person (with exceptions for households of 6 literate members)
- The book’s front cover includes the library’s opening hours, borrowing restrictions, and fines
- The book was dated to a time when the library operated out of the local School of Arts building
- The library has a Local Studies collection where significant items are stored
- The library’s original collection had around 1,000 books
- The book was marked as No 506 in the library’s original collection
- The library journal from the 1870s that recorded borrowers was lost
- The book’s late return fine was calculated using a British three pence per week overdue fee printed inside the book
- The library expects the book was lost within a few years of opening in 1872
- The book will be displayed in the library’s local history collection and not loaned again
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states the book was the 506th item added to the collection, while the Guardian refers to it as 'No 506' in the original collection without specifying if it was the 506th addition
- The ABC mentions the book was borrowed in 1858, but the Guardian does not specify the exact borrowing year, only that it was published in 1858
Source Articles
Library book returned after 150 years, $28k fine waived
A NSW library has a book returned rather late, but the policy of fining people for the offence was dropped at some point during the 150 years since it was borrowed.
Book returned to Australian library – 150 years overdue
The book, Antiquities of Athens, was handed back to Kiama library by a man who found it bricked into a wall An Australian public library has had a book returned an estimated 150 years late after being found behind a wall during a home renovation. The book, Antiquities of Athens, published in 1858, was returned to the library in the seaside town of Kiama, south of Sydney , by a man who had found it inside a tea crate bricked into a sealed fireplace Continue reading...