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Man held over Shakespeare theft Man held over Shakespeare theft
(19 minutes later)
A man has been arrested over the theft of what has been described as the "most important book in the English language" which was stolen 10 years ago.A man has been arrested over the theft of what has been described as the "most important book in the English language" which was stolen 10 years ago.
The 1623 first folio of a collection of works by William Shakespeare was one of a number of literary works taken from Durham university in December 1998. The 1623 first folio (bound volume) of a collection of works by William Shakespeare could be worth £15m.
The man was held after a tip-off from library staff in Washington DC in the US, who were asked to value the work. It was one of a number of literary works taken from Durham university in December 1998.
The 51-year-old was being questioned at Durham City police station. Police said the arrested man, aged 51, asked staff at a library in Washington DC, in the US, to value the work.
A force spokesman said a man, claiming to be an international businessman who had acquired the volume in Cuba, showed it to staff at a respected Washington DC library and asked them to verify it was genuine. The unnamed man was being questioned at Durham City police station.
A force spokesman said a man, claiming to be an international businessman who had acquired the volume in Cuba, showed it to library staff in the US and asked them to verify it was genuine.
He agreed to leave it with librarians, whose research revealed it to have been stolen.He agreed to leave it with librarians, whose research revealed it to have been stolen.
New Testament A spokesman for Durham University said staff were "rejoicing" following the recovery of the book, described by experts as "the most important book in the English language" at the time of its theft. This book is a national treasure giving a rare and beautiful snapshot of Britain's incredible literary heritage Durham University chancellor Bill Bryson
A spokesman for Durham University said staff were "rejoicing" following the recovery regarded by many academics as the most important book in the English language.
The man was arrested on Thursday at an address in Wigeon Close, Washington, Tyne and Wear, after the British Embassy in the US alerted Durham Police to the find two weeks ago.The man was arrested on Thursday at an address in Wigeon Close, Washington, Tyne and Wear, after the British Embassy in the US alerted Durham Police to the find two weeks ago.
The stolen items were part of an exhibit of 50 examples of English literature dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century.The stolen items were part of an exhibit of 50 examples of English literature dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century.
Other items taken in the university raid included a handwritten manuscript of an English translation of the New Testament from the 14th Century.Other items taken in the university raid included a handwritten manuscript of an English translation of the New Testament from the 14th Century.
Also stolen was a book by 10th Century scholar Aelfric, written in 1566, a first edition of Beowulf from 1815 and a handwritten manuscript from the early 15th Century containing a fragment of a poem by Canterbury Tales author Geoffrey Chaucer.Also stolen was a book by 10th Century scholar Aelfric, written in 1566, a first edition of Beowulf from 1815 and a handwritten manuscript from the early 15th Century containing a fragment of a poem by Canterbury Tales author Geoffrey Chaucer.
The Durham Police spokesman said officers were working with the FBI in the United States.The Durham Police spokesman said officers were working with the FBI in the United States.
Security reviewed
Bill Bryson, chancellor of Durham University 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."
The Shakespeare first folio was acquired by John Cosin, former Bishop of Durham, and was part of the library he established in Durham in 1669.
University vice-chancellor, Prof Chris Higgins, added: "Our security has been very significantly reviewed and enhanced to the highest standards since the theft 10 years ago and we are confident the first folio will be safe when it arrives back in Durham."