An overdue book has been returned to a public library after 105 years.
The historical novel ‘Ivanhoe’ by Sir Walter Scott, was due back on 13 February 1919, shortly after the end of World War I.
Set in 12th-century England, the story depicts the heroic actions of Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe in winning the hand of Lady Rowena.
The long-lost book was returned to Poudre Libraries in Colorado, US, in time for National Library Week, taking place between 7-13 April.
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It was booked out from the Public Library and Free Reading Room in Fort Collins.
A library spokesperson said: “An unnamed woman dropped off the book saying that her brother found it in their mother’s belongings in Kansas.
“The inside front cover of the book offers interesting information including the book’s accession number.
“Inside the back cover is the traditional due date slip showing the book had been checked out only three times before it went missing.”
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Article 26 of the library’s lending rules in 1919 stated: “A fine of two cents per day shall be collected on all books.”
The spokesperson added: “Based on a 2-cents-per-day fine, this fine would be approximately $760 (£605).
“Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $14,000 (£11,150)!”
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Fortunately, Poudre Libraries stopped charging fines for overdue materials in November 2020, as reported by What’s the Jam.
The library added: “You can still check out ‘Ivanhoe: A Romance’ from Poudre Libraries.
“Although our current copies are not quite as fragile as this particular edition!”
One local commented: “Wow!”
Another said: “That is really pretty cool.”
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