One of the stollen notebooks now returned.
The notebooks mysteriously vanished from the library, an unexpected crime and devastating loss for the collections.
The precious documents were initially thought to be miss-shelved among the 10 million books in Cambridge University Library collections.
One of the stollen notebooks now returned. (Photo:Cambridge University Library)
However, the books failed to reappear; and after many years, authorities concluded they had been stollen.
Inside were two books wrapped in plastic and a note.
The unsigned, typed card reads: Librarian, Happy Easter, X.
Darwin’s famous “Tree of Life” drawing. (Photo:Stuart Roberts/Cambridge University Library)
There have been tears, said Dr. Gardner toBBC.
And I think there still will be, because we are not over the emotional rollercoaster.
It means so much to us to have these home.
The mysterious note included with the returned notebooks. (Photo:Cambridge University Library)
I do wonder where they have been, Dr. Gardner says.
Certainly not all stolen artifacts receive the care which these notebooks clearly did.
Who stole the notebooks?
Gift bag in which the stollen books were returned. (Photo:Stuart Roberts/Cambridge University Library)
Why did they return them?
Are we dealing with a repentant thief, a morally corrupt book collector?
Did someone find the books in another’s belongings and return them without identifying the thief?
The notebooks were returned wrapped in plastic. (Photo:Stuart Roberts/Cambridge University Library)
Darwin’s famous Tree of Life drawing.
The mysterious note included with the returned notebooks.
Gift bag in which the stollen books were returned.
Cambridge scholars and librarians examining the books to confirm authenticity. (Photo:Cambridge University Library)
The notebooks were returned wrapped in plastic.
Cambridge scholars and librarians examining the books to confirm authenticity.
