thefts of rare 19th-century Russian books

 

ARTS AND IDEAS

By Daniel E. Slotnik

Wojtek Radwanski/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Rare editions of Pushkin vanished from European libraries

Police officials are investigating what they believe is a vast, coordinated series of thefts of rare 19th-century Russian books — primarily first and early editions of Pushkin — from libraries across Europe. The thieves often replace the books with elaborate replicas and spirit them out of libraries.

Since 2022, more than 170 books valued at more than $2.6 million have vanished from libraries in Germany, Finland, France, Latvia and elsewhere, according to Europol. The University of Warsaw library was hit hardest, with 78 books gone.

The authorities have arrested nine people in connection with the thefts, but who is behind them remains an open question.

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