The Associated Press (AP) reported Saturday that a book borrowed from a Massachusetts library 119 years ago has unexpectedly returned to the library.

According to the magazine, a reader interested in the new electrical phenomenon at the time borrowed the book “Elementary Treatises on Electricity” from the New Bedford Free Public Library in February 1904. Associated Press report. The book was written by Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell and published posthumously in 1881, the year after Thomas Edison patented the incandescent light bulb.

The book was never returned until Stewart Plain, curator of rare books at the West Virginia University Library, found it among recently donated books. The Associated Press reported that Plein said the book was not scrapped because it was not stamped “withdrawn” even though it was well past its due date. . Mr Plain then returned the book to Jody Goodman, special librarian in New Bedford, with a note saying, “Dear Mr. Jody, I am pleased to return this book to its rightful owner.” (Related: Library books returned after almost 100 years)

Olivia Melo, the new director of the Bedford Public Library, told The Associated Press on Friday, “It came back in very good condition. It’s in very good condition and has probably been passed down in the family, so someone will love this book.” It’s clear that it was kept on a bookshelf.” Melo also said the book was the most overdue book the library had ever received, and the incident is evidence of the ” said.[t]He called printed books “non-digital, indelible, [and] will always be of value. ”

The New Bedford Library has a late fee of 5 cents per day, so borrowers could incur late return penalties of $2,100 or more, the Associated Press noted. However, the library had set a late fee cap of $2 for him.

The library was delighted to receive the book, announcing in a June 21 Facebook post, “It’s never too late to return an overdue library book!”