Nick Wilding of Georgia State University has announced on the EXLIBRIS mailing list his findings pointing to forgeries of Galileo material that appear to trace back to Marino Massimo de Caro, currently under arrest for thefts from the Girolamini Library in Naples. Dr. Wilding raises further questions about books that have recently passed through the trade bearing the the library stamp of Federico Cesi. (The text of Dr. Wilding's statement on EXLIBRIS is below.) The ABAA has been in touch with Dr. Wilding and will be offering further updates as they are available. The RBMS Security Committee blog will also carry updates on the Girolamini Library scandal as it develops:  http://www.rbms.info/committees/security/theft_reports/theft_reports_2012.shtml An earlier update on the developing scandal from ILAB President Arnoud Gerits includes contact information for the authorities in Italy working on the case: http://www.ilab.org/eng/documentation/786-massive_thefts_at_the_girolamini_library_in_naples.html In the meantime, colleagues with specific questions or further information relating to possible forgeries tracing back to De Caro or books they may have sold to De Caro may contact me. The ABAA Security Committee will collect what information it can to help investigations move forward. With thanks, Garrett Scott ABAA Security Chair garrett@bibliophagist.com [more Update: More on Girolamini Theft]

This item was still reported missing as of June 11, 2019. The following item has been reported stolen: Title : Sylva Frutetum Authors : STEPHANUS, Carolus Date of publication : 1538 Publisher : Estienne, Paris Description : STEPHANUS, Carolus. Sylva. Frutetum Collis. Paris: Franciscum Stephanum, 1538. First Ed. Small 8vo. (ii); 2-(57) pages. Woodblock device on title depicting a vine. Eighteenth century red morocco with gilt roll-borders, neatly rebacked and recornered, al edges in gilt, marbled endpapers. With the armorial bookplates of the Duke of Sussex, and Professor Cornelius Paine. A clear and concise treatise on the trees, bushes, plants and herbs found growing in woods, in thickets and on hillsides. There was a sequel mentioned in the text, devoted to fields and meadows including marsh and water meadows, and embracing inter alia mushrooms and fungi. This was published in 1543. An attractive copy of a rare work, the only edition to be published, and one of only a small number of titles printed by Francois Estienne from 1537. He was the son of Henricus Stephanus, founder of the great printing house, and younger brother of Robert. Adams, 1745. If you have any information on this item, please contact Roger Collicott at info@rogercollicottbooks.com or 01364 621324. [more Stolen: First Edition 'Sylva Frutetum']

Update: All the items were recovered. The following items have been reported stolen: 1. Title : Iustini ex Trogo Pompeio historiae cum multis memorabilibus in margine. Addito insuper indice: quo facilius notatu clariora repiri possint: nuper emdatae. (includes: Lucii Flori gestorum Romanorum liber primus.) Authors : Trogus, Pompeius Description : Format: fol. Imprint: Venetiis : Impressum per Ioannem Tachuinum de Tridino, 1512. Current shelfmark: BCL.S10 Earlier shelfmark: With a label or stamp carrying an earlier shelfmark: Stall J /Shelf 34 /Book 7 Ownership marks: With a crude stamped cross, most likely on the title page, with arms of equal length running horizontally and vertically in relation to the title page 2. Title : De lingua latina. Authors : Varro, Marcus Terentius Description : Format: fol. Imprint: Parma : , 11 Dec. 1480. Note: Part 3 only of ISTC in00267000 Current shelfmark: BCL.S13 Earlier shelfmark: With a label or stamp carrying an earlier shelfmark: Stall H /Shelf 19 /Book 4 3. Title : The Earle of Gowries conspiracie against the Kings Maiestie of Scotland. At Saint Iohn-stoun vpon Tuesday the fift of August. 1600. Authors : Not applicable Description : Format: 4to. Imprint: London : Printed by Valentine Simmes, dwelling on Adling hill, at the signe of the white Swanne, 1600. Note: ESTC S101210; STC (2nd ed.) 21466.3 (B1r last line begins: ring) Current shelfmark: BCL.S134 Other copy-specific details: A note on file records 'Leaves separated and mounted on... [more UPDATE: Thefts from the National Library of Scotland]

UPDATE: Please note the updated link to the stolen books, which are also listed below. In November of 2004, the National Library of Sweden made the unfortunate discovery that a department head had been stealing older, valuable books from the library's collection for several years. Here is a list of the stolen books. If you have any information regarding any of these titles, please contact Greger Bergvall or Jan Ottosson via the linked emails or by phone at +46 70 007 33 44. In total 62 books were stolen from the National Library. A list of the stolen books can be found here, including the seven books that have since been returned to the Library. Bodenehr, Gabriel. Europens Pracht und Macht in 200. Kupfer-Stücken worinnen nicht nur allein die Berühmtest und Ansehnlichste, sondern auch andere Stätte, Festungen... Augspurg, Gabriel Bodenehr, . Sold by F. Dörling 20/21 nov 1995, lot 227, to a buyer in Germany. Sold by Ketterer Kunst 17/18 nov 2008, lot 40. Carlevaris, Luca. Le fabriche, e vedute di Venetia. Disegnate, lote in prospettiva et intagliate da Luca Carlevariis. Venetia, Gio. Battista Finazzi, . Sold by F. Dörling 20/21 nov 1995, lot 242, to a buyer in USA. Kepler, Johannes. Harmonices mundi libri V. Lincii Austriæ, Godofredi Tampachii bibl. Francof, Ioannes Plancus, 1619. : Nova Stereometria doliorvm vinariorvm, in primis Austriaci figuræ omnium aptissimæ... Lincii 1615. Sold by F. Dörling 18/19 nov 1996, lot 130, to a buyer in Germany. Hobbes, Thomas. Leviath... [more Update: Theft from National Library of Sweden]

A message from ILAB President Arnoud Gerits regarding the massive thefts at the Girolamini Library in Naples. Shortly after the reopening of the Girolamini Library in Naples  in April of 2012 the Director, Marino Massimo de Caro, announced that 1500 books were missing (April 17). On April 20 the Library was  closed by the Naples Public Prosecutor. Marino Massimo de Caro has been suspended and was investigated for embezzlement. On May 18, 1000 books, 240 of which have ownership stamps from the Girolamini Library were found in storage in Massimo Marino de Caro’s home city of Verona, and on May 24 Mr. de Caro was arrested on the charge of embezzlement along with four others; a search warrant is out for a fifth. In the meantime Massimo Marino de Caro has confessed to the theft of thousands of books from the library and is cooperating with police in tracing them. A number of stolen items from the library have been confiscated by the authorities in Munich (16 items), London (28 items), New York and Tokyo(uncertain numbers). According to what is currently known and what Massimo Marino de Caro has confessed so far, it is very likely that the number of stolen books from the Girolamini Library is higher than 1500 but no definitive list of missing items has been published by Italian authorities so far. It appears also to be clear that the stolen books were spread out via the trade in several countries, in both Europe and elsewhere. A number of the books can be recognized... [more Massive Thefts at the Girolamini Library in Naples]

The following item has been reported stolen: Title : Methode Nouvelle de dresser des Recueuils communiquée par l’Auteur. Authors : , J. Le Clerc and J. C. de la Croze, (eds.) Date of publication : 1687 Publisher : Wolfgang, Waesberg, Boom, & van Someren., Amsterdam Description : Bibliothèque Universelle et Historique de l’Année M.D.C. LXXXVI. Tome Second. Seconde Edition revuë & corrigée. If you have any information on this item, please contact Blackwell's Rare Books at rarebooks@blackwell.co.uk [more Stolen: Methode Nouvelle de dresser des Recueuils communiquée par l’Auteur]

This item was still reported missing as of June 11, 2019. The following item has been reported stolen: Title : Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Authors : Carroll, Lewis Date of publication : circa 1940 Publisher : Doubleday Doran & Co, New York Description : Fine copy. If you have any information regarding this book, please contact Paul Foster at Info@paulfosterbooks.com [more Stolen: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland]

UPDATE: This item has been recovered. The following photograph album has recently gone missing from a customer's collection. If anyone is offered this album (or parts that sound suspiciously like it) please contact John Kuenzig at (978) 887-4053 or orders@kuenzigbooks.com SIXTY-SIX ORIGINAL IMAGES FROM THE LANDMARK HARVARD-BOSTON AERO MEET OF 1910, THE FIRST MAJOR AVIATION EXHIBITION ON THE EAST COAST. THERE ARE IMAGES OF PRESIDENT TAFT, WILBUR WRIGHT AND GLENN CURTISS (HARVARD-BOSTON AERO MEET OF 1910). The Harvard-Boston Aero Meet was held from September 3rd to 13th, 1910. The Harvard Aeronautical Society was formed in 1909 and they held the next year the second aviation meet in the United States; the first one was held in Los Angeles earlier in 1910. The local citizens raised $50,000 to fund the event and put up $40,000 in prize money, including contests for endurance, speed and altitude. The publisher of The Boston Globe put up $10,000 for a thirty-three mile race around the Boston Light. Some of the great early aviators who participate were Wilbur Wright, Glenn Curtiss, Claude Grahame-White, A.V. Roe, Walter Brookins and Ralph Johnstone. President Taft and his family attended. It is estimated that one million people saw a plane during the meet, and it still was not enough to satisfy the crowds, since the flyers continued two days after the official end of the meet. The result was to convince hundreds of thousands of Americans that flying was safe and possible. Photograph... [more UPDATE: Missing Materials Related to 1st Aviation Exhibition]

This item was still reported missing as of June 11, 2019. The following item has been reported stolen: Title : THE BELL JAR Authors : Victoria Lucas Date of publication : 1963 Publisher : Heinemann Description : First edition in price clipped dust jacket. If you have any information on this item, please contact Christiaan Jonkers at info@jonkers.co.uk or 01491 576427. [more Stolen: The Bell Jar]

This item was still reported missing as of June 4, 2019. The following item was stolen during the San Francisco book fair (February 3-5, 2012): Set of four 78-rpm shellac records containing the soundtrack cues for the first film version of FRANKENSTEIN. Each record bears a black-and-white label with the Universal Pictures logo along the bottom edge. Each of the four records is in a separate paper sleeve, and the group is housed in a custom clamshell box. If you have any information regarding this item, please contact Royal Books at 410-366-7329 or mail@royalbooks.com. [more Stolen: Soundtrack Cues for Original Frankenstein]