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Millionaire's Thievery Ruins Priceless Books

Iranian millionaire sliced pages from valuable volumes

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Nov 21, 2008 2:30 PM CST
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(Newser) – An Iranian scholar and millionaire sliced pages from extremely rare volumes at the British Library, some dating back to the 16th century, to replace missing sections in his own book collection, reports the Independent. Farhad Hakimzadeh, who pleaded guilty to theft and faces prison time, removed pages from a reported 150 volumes over the course of eight years, causing an estimated $1.5 million in damages.

"He is an expert in his field and a published author. From my point of view, that makes it worse because he actually knew the importance of what he was damaging," said the head of the library's British collection. "And a historic object, once damaged, is damaged forever."

The British Library's famous dome.
The British Library's famous dome.   (Getty Images)
Part of the 1304-6 seven-volume Sultan Baybars Quran from Cairo on display in the British Library, London, April 25, 2007. The library has one of the world's most significant rare book collections.
Part of the 1304-6 seven-volume Sultan Baybars Quran from Cairo on display in the British Library, London, April 25, 2007. The library has one of the world's most significant rare book collections.   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
A rare 8th-century Quran from Mecca or Medina, at the British Library in Wednesday, April 25, 2007.
A rare 8th-century Quran from Mecca or Medina, at the British Library in Wednesday, April 25, 2007.   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
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He chose unique and rare editions and was therefore able to go undetected for some time...Some of the stolen pages were recovered at his home address but many more have been lost forever. - Dave Cobb, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cobb, Metropolitan Police

He is an expert in his field and a published author. He has a profound knowledge of the field so in a sense, from my point of view, that makes it worse because he actually knew the importance of what he was damaging.
- Dr. Kristian Jensen, British Library

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
Nov 22, 2008 5:13 AM CST
He should have his books confiscated to make up for the amount he stole from the library. He should have to repay what he stole and in this case, the books he owns ought to be the price.
Guest
Nov 21, 2008 3:01 AM CST
The punishment should hit him where it hurts. Take his money after all that is why he did it. Then put him in jail for a stretch so he knows what it is to be poor.
Guest
Nov 21, 2008 2:52 AM CST
I suggest the islamic punishment,off with his hands and since it is over the course of eight years,his testicles,his feet,his ears and gouge out his eyes.Did I leave anything out? Hey,it's his faith,not mine.

The British Library was hit big in 2005
Telegraph (UK)

And that wasn't the only other time!
BBC

 
crime • theft • grand theft • British Library • rare books • Farhad Hakimzadeh

 

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