SAN FRANCISCO: Federal officials say two stolen Italian books from the 17th century have been discovered in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be returned to their country of origin.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the books, “Stirpium Historiae” and “Rariorm Plantarum Historia Anno 1601,” were taken from Italy’s Historical National Library of Agriculture and sold to an antiquities dealer in Italy. David Prince with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement says a Bay Area buyer didn’t know the books were stolen.

The books are among 19 stolen artifacts to be returned to the Italian government. The newspaper says they include a 17th century cannon, 5th century Greek pottery and some items dating to 300-460 BC. The goods were smuggled into the United States over the last several years.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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