After 51 years, a long-overdue book was finally returned to the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts. The book was a copy of The Early Works of Aubrey Beardsley, published in 1899.
It features a biography and 150 reprints of Beardsley’s best works. The book will be available for people to read in the library, but it cannot be checked out.
A Boston resident brought the book to the Cambridge Public Library. A librarian there contacted Worcester Public Library about the discovery.
It’s unclear where the book has been for the past 51 years. But now, it’s back in its rightful place, much to the delight of the staff.
“We’re excited to welcome this piece of history back to the Worcester Public Library after its decades-long journey,” said Jason Homer, the executive director at Worcester Public Library.
“Returning library books is essential to ensuring access for all, allowing resources to circulate and inspire new readers. It’s incredible to think how many hands this book might have passed through before finding its way home, and this return is a reminder of the enduring value of libraries.”
Fortunately, the due date card was still in the book when it was returned. Someone checked out The Early Works of Aubrey Beardsley in 1973. It was due back to the library on May 22, 1973.
The borrower did not have to pay any late fees. The Worcester Public Library got rid of late fees because they did not seem to encourage the return of books.
In fact, it did the opposite in some cases. However, the library does send frequent reminders to patrons about unreturned books.
Chinnapong – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only – pictured above is a book open on a table in a library
When The Early Works of Aubrey Beardsley arrived in Worcester, the library employees were surprised to see it in such excellent condition, especially after so many years.
Nobody knows where the book spent the last five decades, but missing library books are often found when people are moving or cleaning out the homes of loved ones who have recently passed away. Perhaps this was how the book was able to make its way back home.
This edition and volume of the book is considered a rare book and is being sold with another volume for $950 on online retailers. The second volume is titled The Late Works of Aubrey Beardsley.
Beardsley was a late 19th-century English author and illustrator. He was best known for his Japanese-inspired black ink drawings.
He was also a leading figure in the aesthetic movement alongside Oscar Wilde and is credited with the development of Art Noveau. He died from tuberculosis in 1898 at the age of 25.
Another book that was over 100 years overdue was returned to the Saint Paul Public Library in Minnesota in 2023.
It was a 1902 edition of Famous Composers vol. 2 by Nathan Haskell Dole. The book was found by a patron in Hennepin County who was sorting through their mother’s belongings.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.