The book New-Englands Rarities Discovered is now returned to Stockholm University Library. Photo: Cecilia Burman

The book, New-Englands Rarities Discovered, written by John Josselyn, was discovered last year at Sotheby's auction marketplace in New York. Sotheby's initially put the book up for sale, but withdrew it when they were told it could have been stolen.

The rarity book, which renders a high value at the market, was printed in London in 1672 and deals with the flora and fauna of New England in USA. It belongs to the Bergius brothers' library, which was bequeathed to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA) in the late 1790s. At the end of the 1970s, KVA's library was nationalized and the collections, including the Bergius Brothers' library, were partly donated and partly deposited at the Stockholm University Library. 

Library Director Wilhelm Widmark received the book from criminal inspector Mart Nyman. Photo: Cecilia Burman

Wilhelm Widmark, Library director at Stockholm University Library, is relieved that the book now has been returned to the library, where it belongs. 
– It feels very good when lost cultural heritage is restored. The National Library of Sweden informed us that the book was up for auction at Sotheby's and Swedish police and prosecutor have worked very quickly to take legal action, which is why the book now is back at the library. 

Before the book appeared at Sotheby's last year, it was sold once in the United States in the late 1990s. The book therefore seems to have disappeared from the university library several decades ago, and relatively unnoticed. It was not missed by the library and not reported to the police, until last year when it turned up at the auction house in New York.

How is it possible that a book of such value can disappear from the university library?
– The book probably disappeared from the collections a long time ago, and at a time when security was not as good as it is today. The researchers were able to use the books and it was probably not stolen, but "accidentally" accompanied some researcher abroad. This could not happen today, says Wilhelm Widmark.

What does security look like today for books in the rarity collection?
– Very good! Reading of rarity books may only take place under supervision and the books may not leave the university library. We have full control, so that no book can disappear.

Text: Julia Milder