Man arrested after 10-year hunt for £15m Shakespeare manuscript stolen from Durham University
Ton Cremers
A ten-year international manhunt looks to be over after a man was arrested following the sensational discovery of a stolen
£15million Shakespeare manuscript.
A 51-year-old man was last night being held by police on suspicion of theft.
The first folio edition of a collection of the works of William Shakespeare, published in 1623, was one of a number of manuscripts
and books stolen from Durham University library in December 1998.
The cover and frontispiece of the stolen William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories & Tragedies first folio, published in 1623 - just
seven years after the legendary playwright's death
Police in Durham were alerted by the British Embassy in the United States two weeks ago after a man asked a respected library in
Washington DC to verify if the book was genuine.
A police spokesman said: 'It is understood he told staff he was an international businessman who had bought the folio in Cuba and
agreed to leave it with the library for research to be carried out.
'Their checks revealed it as the one stolen from Durham City and they informed the authorities.
'Durham Constabulary has kept in close contact with the FBI as worldwide inquiries were launched to trace the man.'
Police raided a house in Washington, Tyne and Wear, on Thursday where the man was arrested. He is now being held at Durham City
police station.
Det Supt Andy Reddick, who is co-ordinating the investigation, said the Shakespeare folio is in the safe care of the Washington
library.
He added: 'A search of the house at Washington will continue today.'
Author Bill Bryson, the University's chancellor and author of an acclaimed book on Shakespeare, said: 'This is not only wonderful
news for Durham University, but for all Shakespeare's scholars and fans around the world, of which I am most definitely one.
'Like Shakespeare himself, this book is a national treasure giving a rare and beautiful snapshot of Britain's incredible literary
heritage.
'I'll certainly be joining the crowds who will be eagerly welcoming it home.'
Other items that disappeared at the same time in the Palace Green library raid were an early handwritten manuscript bearing an
English translation of the New Testament dating from the late 14th or early 15th century and a handwritten manuscript of the same
period containing a fragment of a poem written by Geoffrey Chaucer, author of the Canterbury Tales.
Books included two works by the 10th Century scholar Aelfric that were printed in 1566, a first edition version of Beowulf printed
in 1815 and a 1612 book of maps and poetry.
The stolen items were among more than 50 exhibits charting the progress of English literature from the Middle Ages to the 20th
century which had been on public show in two rooms of the library.
When the items were stolen they were described as a 'unique and irreplaceable part of the region's heritage' and would be virtually
impossible to sell to legitimate buyers.
At the time police believe the ancient books may have been stolen to order and could already be on their way out of the country.
Glass topped display cabinets had been forced and the two medieval manuscripts and five books had disappeared.
The haul was part of some 50 exhibits on show in the library charting the progress of English literature from the middle ages to
the 20th century.
Speaking at the time University spokesman Keith Seacroft said: 'We are all still shocked and distressed by the theft.'