Library book found sealed behind fireplace returned 150 years late

The book was returned to the library in the coastal town of Kiama, New South Wales, last week by a local named Ross Simmons, who found it inside a crate behind a sealed fireplace.

An Australian library received an unusual return when a book checked out about 150 years ago was found bricked into the fireplace of a home.

Nation/WorldUpdated: Jul. 31, 2026, 3:47 a.m.Published: Jul. 31, 2026, 3:44 a.m.In this photo provided by Jane Thompson, library manager Michelle Hudson holds the book "Antiquities of Athens", after its return in Kiama, Australia, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, an estimated 150 years late. (Jane Thompson via AP)Jane Thom

A book on Greek antiquities has been returned to an Australian public library about 150 years late, with water damage from years bricked into a fireplace.

A book on Greek antiquities has been returned to an Australian public library about 150 years late, with water damage from years bricked into a fireplace

A book on Greek antiquities has been returned to an Australian public library about 150 years late, with water damage from years bricked into a fireplace.

A book on Greek antiquities has been returned to an Australian public library about 150 years late, with water damage from years bricked into a fireplace

The 1858 copy of Antiquities of Athens was returned after being found in a sealed fireplace during recent home renovations

The book published in 1858 was returned to the library in the seaside town of Kiama last week by a man who had found it during recent home renovations inside a tea crate bricked into a sealed fireplace.

The book, Antiquities of Athens, was handed back to Kiama library by a man who found it bricked into a wall An Australian public library has had a book returned an estimated 150 years late after being found behind a wall during a home renovation. The book, Antiquities of Athens, published in 1858, was returned to the l

A 150-year-overdue book resurfaces in an Australian library, found bricked in a fireplace  Toronto Star

A 150-year-overdue book resurfaces in an Australian library, found bricked in a fireplace  AP News

Avid reader Walter Griffith Owen checked out Paradise and King Lear over a century ago, in 1910, and failed to return them one week later.

A NSW library has a book returned rather late, but the policy of fining people for the offence was dropped at some point during the 150 years since it was borrowed.