A copy of Benson Losing’s History of the United States, published in 1881, was returned to the St. Helena Public Library in Napa Valley earlier this month. The book was due back on February 21, 1927.

At the time the book was on loan, fines for late titles were a quarter (five cents) a day, meaning that Jim Perry, who owned the book, theoretically owed around $1,756 (£1,417). Luckily for him, in 2019 the library canceled the fines.

According to the St Helena Star newspaper, Perry found a copy in a box of books that belonged to his late wife, Sandra. According to him, the book was borrowed by his wife’s grandfather. Perry initially returned the book to the library’s front desk without giving his name, but was discovered after officials asked for more information about its history.

Library staff believe that this book was one of 540 volumes originally in the St. Helena Public Library.

The Guinness World Record for a late returned book belongs to a history book written by Colonel Robert Walpole, father of Sir Robert Walpole, considered the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. The book was returned to Sydney Sussex on 16 January 1956, at least 287 years late.

Source: Guardian