Library book from 1899 returned five decades late in great condition

(Gray News) – A library book published in 1899 and 51 years overdue has finally been returned.

"The Early Work of Aubrey Beardsley" was checked out from Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts on May 22, 1973, according to a photo of the due date card posted on Facebook by the library.

The library said the book was found somewhere in Boston and then returned to the Cambridge Public Library before it was finally returned to its rightful place.

"Returning to its rightful home, 51 years later," a note inside the book from the Cambridge Public Library reads.

"It's a rarity that someone found this," Alex London of the Worcester Public Library told the Telegram & Gazette . "But not only that they found it, but that it is in such good condition."

The book is so old it was never included in the library's digital catalog.

According to its website, the Worcester Public Library does not charge overdue fines.