![]() Professor Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: "The loss of the Folio, a national icon, was hugely upsetting for the University community, so it is tremendous that the book has been returned to where it rightfully belongs. "I look forward to joining everyone in welcoming this wonderfully important book home to the University and the City when it eventually goes on display."ĭurham University is custodian of a number of priceless historic treasures, many dating back to medieval times. The Folio is the only one known to have stayed in the same personal library since its purchase.Īt the time it was stolen experts described it as "the most important printed book in the English language".ĭurham University plans to make the Folio the centrepiece of an exhibition of University treasures to be held in the refurbished University Library on Palace Green beginning in January 2011.īill Bryson, Chancellor of Durham University and author of an acclaimed book on Shakespeare, said: "Shakespeare's First Folio is arguably the most important book in English literature. It is fantastic that Durham's copy is coming home at last. It was acquired by John Cosin, former Bishop of Durham, and was part of the library he established in Durham in 1669. ![]() The Shakespeare First Folio was published in 1623. The Folio will eventually be conserved by Durham University which employs some of the UK's expert conservators of rare books. ![]() The title-leaf has been torn out and it is generally in a poor condition.Īs a result the book, which is essentially priceless in terms of its heritage value, has been given an estimated value of £1.5m. Folger Library staff contacted the authorities who subsequently arrested and charged Scott.Īlthough the University is delighted at the return of the book, there is disappointment that it has been damaged. The Folio resurfaced in the summer of 2008 when it was handed in to the Folger Library, in Washington DC, by a man who asked for it to be valued. ![]() The other six have never been recovered and Durham University is appealing for their return. The Folio was one of seven books and manuscripts taken from Bishop Cosin's Library, part of the University Library, on Palace Green, Durham City, in December 1998. Scott was cleared of stealing the Folio but was found guilty of handling stolen goods and removing stolen property from the UK. The Folio - the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays - was returned to the University following the conviction of Raymond Scott, 53, of Wingate, County Durham, at Newcastle Crown Court. Durham University is celebrating after a rare 17 th Century First Folio of Shakespeare's plays was returned more than ten years after being stolen. ![]()
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