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A book that had been missing for nearly a century and a half has returned to an Australian public library. The book’s return has also sparked discussion about its late fee. According to the library’s old rules, the fine for this book is approximately 1.6 million rupees.

The rare book, “Antiquities of Athens,” published in 1858, returned to Australia’s Kiama Library last week. The book was discovered during renovations to a house where it had been hidden for a long time.

book found inside the wall of the house

According to reports, the book was found in a tea crate stored in a brick-lined space inside a closed fireplace. The book has been damaged due to prolonged exposure to humidity and confined space. Michelle Hudson, manager of the Kiama Library, said the return of such an old book is a very special event. She said no book of this age has ever been returned in the library’s history.

Book found in the family’s old home

The book was returned to the library by local resident Ross Simmons. He said he found it while renovating his house. He believes it may have been taken by his great-great-grandfather, John Simmons, who lived in the same cottage in the 1870s. The Kiama Library was established in 1872. This book was listed as number 506 in the library’s initial collection of approximately 1,000 books.

There is no record of who took the book.

The library manager says that the last person to borrow the book is no longer available. Borrower records from that period have also been lost.

He explained that under the old rules, a penalty of three pence per week was imposed for late return of books. Based on this, the late fee is estimated to be approximately 1.6 million rupees in today’s terms.

The book will not be reissued.

Michelle Hudson jokingly suggested that this fear may have prevented the book from being returned. She clarified that this rare book will never be lent again. She said the library doesn’t want to have to wait another 150 years for its return.