Bookstore owner laments theft of $900 rare edition
A used book store attracts those who delight in discovering timeless and intangible treasures.
But someone who apparently was simply after treasure has robbed Pickwick Books in Waterdown of a rare book bearing a $900 price tag.
Store owner Cheryl Kaufman noticed the 1920 first edition of “Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens” missing when she arrived at work Tuesday morning.
She saw that the bookstand near the cash register at the back of the store, where the regal hardcover was always perched, was occupied by a couple of random books.
“I knew it was gone. The person who did this planned it, they put books in its place so no one would notice. It’s heartbreaking someone would do this.”
The Peter Pan book was in place when she worked Saturday; in fact several customers told her how beautiful it is.
“I told them that I actually wanted to just take it home rather than sell it.”
A part-time employee worked at the store Sunday, a busy day when he was often away from the cash. Monday the store was closed as usual.
“It definitely happened Sunday,” she said.
Kaufman did not report the theft to police, she figures that without a description of a suspect there’s not much they could do. And the store has never had video surveillance. She regrets that now has to change.
“It will be expensive, and it doesn’t look nice, but I am going to do that in the next day or two … Some books here are worth more than $2,000 and we don’t keep them under lock and key; it’s been a treat for customers to enjoy looking at them.”
She’s offering a cash reward for the safe return of the book, which was written by Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie and illustrated by Arthur Rackham, and published in London.
An inscription inside would prove it is the missing copy.
(A picture of the book she posted online is the same title, but not her edition, which is in “mint condition.”)
She described her feelings on social media of “shock and disgust” about the theft: “I leave these beautiful books out to be admired and you have ruined it for everyone,” she wrote. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
She said she has received tons of support online and people dropping by.
Kaufman believes it’s perhaps the first book stolen from Pickwick Books in its 24-year history.
She purchased the store at Mill Street North and Dundas Street East nearly three years ago, soon after learning it was for sale.
She had been living in Mississauga at the time and working as a travel agent, when one day, she said, she happened upon the 19th century building and fell in love with it.