Missing since the Second World War Bonn University Library gets lost books back
Bonn · The University and State Library Bonn (ULB) celebrates the return of more than 600 volumes that had been lost since the post-war period. Among them are numerous historical copies of high idealistic and material value.
More than 600 books missing after the Second World War are now returned to the Bonn University and State Library. Among the precious writings were medieval manuscripts and documents, historical maps as well as early and rare prints, the University of Bonn declared on Tuesday. They come back from Belgian private ownership. "It is the largest successful repatriation of missing books in the 200-year history of the university library," the university said in a statement.
The volumes disappeared from Bonn under unclear circumstances after the Second World War. A Belgian woman inherited the works and offered some to the London auction house Sotheby's, which contacted the library. According to the information, the parties agreed quickly and amicably on the return of the works.
(Original text: epd, Translation: Mareike Graepel)
