New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
FIVE THOUSAND BOOKS STOLEN WITHIN A YEAR
NEW-YORKS FREE LIBRARIES ARE HEATT SUI
FERERS 1T THE HANDS OF SNEAK THIEYES.

In pronouncng sentence on public library thief
who had been convicted in his court Judge once
said:
Stealing books from the libraries Of the public
is one of the unspeakable crimes-like stealing
coins from the eyes OF dead men or roboing the
poor box that hangs in the church entrance.
take pleasure in sentencing you to the full penalty
prescribed By the law. 1 am sorry give you
no greater punishment
In few days another Judge Will prooaoiy nave
the privilege Of pronouncins sentence on one VI
a gang Of library thieves. which IS believed 10
have robbed the Astor and LenOx libraries or
number of choice volumes. including costly copies
Of Hawthornes "Grandfather's Chair, Browning
Pauline" a reprint Of the 1888 edition. George
Bancroft's poems published in 1898, and E T.
Roe's Eureka" These books are all rare. and
at auction bring from so TO $50 n volume
The thief was captured in an old book store. where
he was trying TO dispose OF a volume from the
Aston Library. The cleverness OF two library en-
ployes and the friendliness Of the proprietor or
the book store made it possible The man gave
the name of Leon Gomberg. OF No. IS East One
hundred and-thrd-st He denied his guilt in spite
Of the evidence OF the stolen book. and would not
admit that he was OF a gang.
In speaking of library robberies to a Tribune re-
porter the other day. OF DR.. John S. Billingss
secretaries said:
I'VE have undoubtedly been the victims OF
we'll organized gang of which this fellow Gomberg
is probao bly, the leader. Their method was simple
and well calculated to throw on suspicion Com
berg and friend would come here and study
catalogues and price lists. They found out the
books which command premium from collectors
and in which of the libraries the book was kept.
A few days later some accomplish stranger at
the library. would appear with request for some
American first edition. He would IN a slip
with false name and address. and away with
the book when opportunity offered
This is the first gang that has worked the
libraries on one system or other. though IT is the
first we have been able detect. The New-York
libraries have never suffered any very serious
thefts at any time. and the thieves have dis
posed OF their booty with such skill and care that
We seldom get track Of them. The Gomberg crowd
would probably have avoided detection II they had
not been in such hurry 10 realize on their booty
The libraries OF the United States have never suf-
fered from Wholesale robberies as have the libra
ries OF Europe. Count Libr an official Of the
French Government. holds the title OF king Of
library thieves. since his operations in the middle
OF the last century. His official position gave him
free access to the collections in monssteries and
government institutions In all parts OF the country
He used rare judgment and took nothing that was
not OF great value. When he had made a colIec-
ton OF thousands OF rare volumes he shipped them
to England and held an auction. It netted him
many thousand pounds. Charge after charge was
brought against him. but no never punished
He just a little high up.
In this country the libraries suffer from the petty
thief. who is satisfied IL he gets away with a vol
ufle or TWO a month"; and the poor book lover VINO
steals that he may have his favorite volumes
around him Even OF a pest than those who
steal books outright the plate snappers' and
mutilators Some steal plates in order to sell them
some mutilate volumes seemingly from sheer
wantonness. but the majority clip and slash
through sheer aziness.
A couple OF hundred dollars a year would cover
the loss on books stolen from the Aston Library.
and slightly larger amount the Lenox losses.
But in the circulation department the loss is more
serious.
Last year the loss from circulating libraries ac-
cordng to DE- Billings's report was 5000 volumes
The year before the net loss $3.50 volumes o.
the total expenditures. for maintenance. repairs
new books, etc. Is per cent for the replace
mont OF stolen books. or the amount spent for
books II takes IL per cent TO replace those stolen
The reason for tho heavy loss from circulating
Libraries is due the fact that the public has free
access to the stacks. From 1850 1855. when theirs
was restricted access. the loss was from two to
twenty volumes a year. Then the shelves were
thrown open that the public might have the pleas
OF picking out IT'S books by something more
than dry. often misleading titles. Immediately
the loss jumped 10 1900. and is constantly the
increase. despite the watchfulness OF the library
employees
In the Astor and Lenox libraries a slip must be
made out for all books used. with the exception Of
about five thousand volumes which are on the refer
shelves. These mostly large books. and
some OF them are screwed down
would be safe in crowded library. yet not long
since an enterprising thief caught IN the act
OF carrying one Now. the dictionaries are
chained to the wall.
Many persons walk OF with books In good faith
and do not to be able to get 1t through their
heads that . reference library In not circulating
There is a sign to that effect at tho door where
one would think all must 1t. but every week
almost some makes the mistake.
few weeks ago the library missed q valuable
early edition Of Burns's poems There was no trace
Of It until the end OF two weeks. Then came this
postal card from little town IN New-Jersey:
Am not yet through with Burns Please renew
book for two weeks and oblige.
n letter written explaining that the volume
was not for circulation. and asking that IL be re-
turned at once. There came another postal card
from New-Jersey:
Sorry / broke the rules. VIII bring back the
book the next time come to town.
Early in the year word came the librarian that
he ottendorfer Branch was suffering heavily from
l mysterious thief. One OF the secretaries was put
IN the case. He learned IN some way that a young
German. living In EAST Ninth-st. near second-aSe-'
had lot or books In his room
4 watt and search disclosed hun eon1a& 80