A middle-aged antiquarian book seller who was arrested in connection with the theft a Shakespeare First Folio has been released on police bail, pending further investigation.
51-year-old Raymond Scott was arrested on suspicion on handling stolen goods by Durham (UK) police Thursday night at the home he shares with his elderly mother in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Officers reportedly found the house crammed with antique books and documents.
According to police, Scott also had a silver Ferrari with personalized plates in his driveway and Armani suits in the closets. Neighbors say police impounded the Ferrari and removed five vanloads of books and documents on Thursday and another three on Friday. The neighbors also told reporters that Scott had owned a string of expensive automobiles in previous years including a yellow sports car and a Lamborghini.
The Folio was stolen from Durham University in northeast England in December 1998 during an exhibition in the university’s library charting the progress of English literature from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. According to university officials, the theft appeared to have been undertaken by professionals with long-term international connections in the art world.
Police say Scott took the folio to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. on June 16 hoping to have the volume authenticated. Scott allegedly went to the library claiming to be an international businessman who had brought the folio from Cuba. The Folger persuaded him to leave the folio at the library while experts worked to determine its origin.
Although several of the introductory pages of the folio including the title page had been removed since the theft, the Folger Library was able to identify the volume as the Durham Folio. The library then contacted the FBI who in turn informed the British Embassy. The Durham police were alerted and Raymond Scott was arrested soon thereafter. Scott’s home is located about twelve miles from the Durham University library where the folio was stolen ten years ago.
Scott was questioned by police most of Friday before he was given bail to a date fixed for mid-November. Detectives say that the other antique books discovered in his home will be examined by experts.
Neighbors say that Scott and his father ran a bookshop before the father died. After that, they say Scott continued to sell books over the Internet.
Web Resources:
BBC News has filed a video report featuring interviews with the spokesman for the Durham police and a librarian at Durham University. The report also shows exterior views of Raymond Scott’s home. Click on the image below to watch.
Channel 4 in the UK has also posted a video report on the theft. You can watch the video below.
One Trackback
[...] the string of classic sports cars he has owned, including a rare Ferrari Dino. Related Stories: Man Arrested Over Shakespeare Theft is Bailed - includes video from the BBC and Channel [...]