A collection of rare books, estimated to be worth millions, was returned to the heir of a notable New York City family on Monday, as announced by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The books had been missing for decades after being stolen by an unknown individual.
These 17 historical volumes, collectively valued at around $3 million, were part of the possession of John Hay Whitney and his second wife, philanthropist Betsy Cushing Whitney. They were discovered to be missing from Whitney’s Long Island home in 1989.
Among the stolen items was a unique signed first edition of James Joyce’s *Finnegans Wake*, as well as a love letter from the well-known poet John Keats. The books finally resurfaced in January 2025 when an individual attempted to sell them at two bookstores in Manhattan.
Manhattan prosecutor Alvin Bragg said, “This kind of legal issue shouldn’t occur in our city, and we’re determined to prevent that.” He emphasized New York’s status as a cultural hub.
Whitney was a significant figure, noted for publishing the *New York Herald Tribute* magazine and serving on the board of the Museum of Modern Art. As a wealthy individual and former ambassador to Great Britain, he amassed a remarkable art collection inherited from his mother, poet Helen Hay. His collection was housed at the family’s extensive estate in Manhasset, Louisiana.
Between 1982 and 1989, over 20 rare books went missing, prompting the Whitney family to notify the Nassau County police after John Whitney’s death, according to prosecutors.
The case took a turn in January 2025 when a man tried to sell 17 of the stolen volumes. He claimed he had inherited them from his deceased grandfather. However, both bookstores soon discovered the items were listed on the Art Ross Registry and alerted the authorities.
While the exact circumstances of the grandfather’s possession remain unclear, Matthew Bogdanos, who leads Manhattan’s antiquities trafficking division, indicated that the grandson is not considered a suspect since he was not born at the time of the theft.
Bogdanos described New York as “the art capital of the world,” insisting that stolen artworks and rare books should return to legal ownership.
Among the recovered items is a bound set of 37 love letters from John Keats to his fiancée, Frances “Fanny” Brown, with eight handwritten originals now valued at over $2 million.
Officials also mentioned that a signed edition of Joyce’s *Finnegans Wake*, created in 1939, was among the stolen works, carrying a valuation of approximately $2,000.
Reports indicate at least 28 books were taken from the Whitney residence during the years in question.
Peter di Bonaventura, the grandson of John and Betsy Whitney, expressed his family’s astonishment at the recovery of the books after such a long absence. He remarked, “It’s incredible to see these books come back to us after being in my family for generations.”
The Whitney heirs are considering auctioning the books and donating the proceeds to charity, while the investigation into the remaining missing volumes continues.
