A MAN pleaded guilty yesterday to "theft by finding" in connection with the possession of a 13th century atlas stolen from the Chester Beatty Library and Gallery of Oriental Art in Dublin in 1991.
The world atlas, entitled Suwar Al-Aqalim or Kitab Al-Masalik Wa-Al-Mamalik, has been valued at £200,000 to £250,000 and has since been returned to the library.
Ronald Hartigan, appearing at Middlesex Crown Court, answered "guilty" to the charge of theft of the atlas on or between July 26th, 1991, and October 24th, 1995, on the basis that he was "not involved in the initial theft from the library in Dublin".
It was revealed in court, how ever, that in 1993, when Hartigan was manager of the Frog and Nightgown pub in south west London, he found a plastic bag beside the bar. Hartigan said he removed the bag and found the atlas, but when no one had come forward to claim it, he had kept it.
Hartigan then stored the book in his loft for a further 16 months. He said he had "no idea" of its value. Hartigan denied trying to sell the atlas but agreed he had not taken the correct steps to establish its ownership.
In a case described as "unusual" by Justice Inman, the court was told that, while there was no suggestion Hartigan had been involved in the original theft from the Chester Beatty Library, "the full sentencing options" available would be brought to bear. Hartigan was granted unconditional bail for four weeks and is due to appear for sentencing at Middlesex Crown Court on July 9th.