Book found bricked in a fireplace returned to Australian library, 150 years overdue
Summary
A book about Greek antiquities, borrowed from an Australian library around 150 years ago, was recently found bricked into a fireplace and returned. The book, damaged by water, was discovered during home renovations in Kiama, New South Wales.Key Facts
- The book is titled "Antiquities of Athens" and was published in 1858.
- It was part of Kiama Library's original collection when the library opened in 1872.
- Ross Simmons found the book while renovating a house once owned by his great-great-grandfather.
- The book was bricked inside a sealed fireplace for many years, causing water damage.
- If calculated with late fees from the 1870s, the fine would be about 28,000 Australian dollars today.
- The library’s old borrower records have been lost, so the name of the last borrower is unknown.
- Old library rules required overdue books to be returned before borrowing new ones, and limited borrowing based on household reading ability.
- The book will now be kept in the library’s local history collection and will not be lent out again.
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