Picture this: a library book checked out during the roaring twenties—when flappers danced, jazz filled the air, and Model Ts rolled down cobblestone streets—suddenly returns nearly a century later.

It’s not the plot of a historical novel, but a true tale from the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.



The book, Wild West by Bertrand W. Sinclair, was due back on November 23, 1926.

Nearly 98 years later, it was rediscovered during the clean-out of a late relative’s home, tucked quietly among other forgotten books—a time traveler hidden in plain sight.

“I’ve seen books come back that were due in the ’80s, ’90s, and even the ’70s,” said Christopher Smith, genealogy and research services reference librarian. “But this is the first time I’ve come across one that was almost a century overdue.”


Adding to the mystery, library records from the 1920s aren’t easily accessible, making the identity of the original borrower a fascinating unknown.

The book turned up at the Westwood branch—just five miles from where it was originally checked out.

Though the library no longer charges late fees, Smith estimates that under the old policy, the overdue fine could’ve reached about $730—quite the jump from the $2 average cost of a hardcover book in 1926.

So why was it never returned?

Smith has a theory: “Either they loved the book—and I think they did—or they simply forgot about it. My guess? They kept it because it meant something.”



Back then, the library likely had protocols to follow up after a book went missing—perhaps suspending borrowing privileges or even sending someone to retrieve it.

But nearly a hundred years later, what really happened remains a part of the book’s mystique.

Despite its age, the copy of Wild West is in surprisingly good condition.

The library replaced it decades ago, and that version still circulates today.

But Smith felt the original deserved a comeback of its own—so he re-cataloged it and placed it back on the shelves.



Notably, there’s no evidence that this copy was ever discarded or sold.

It lacks the “discarded” stamp typically found on decommissioned library books, suggesting it was never meant to leave the system.

"[There] would have been a stamp that clearly said 'discarded material,' and those are clearly visible," he notes. "But there is nothing in this book to indicate that it was not meant to come back, and there's nothing in the book to indicate that the library got rid of it."

"I just found it fascinating. The fact that it came back in decent shape, considering it's an almost 100-year-old book — that's crazy," Smith added. "The fact that it made it back to us, and didn't just make it into the garbage or recycling or getting ground up for paper pulp? It's just amazing that a book like that made it back to us."



So what’s inside this nearly-century-old read?

Wild West is a classic Western, rich with cattle rustlers, hidden canyons, and gritty shootouts—a genre that captured the American imagination and later inspired the TV Westerns of the 1950s.

Its catalog description reads like a vintage movie trailer, with a hero named Robin Tyler squaring off against a corrupt rancher in a tale of betrayal, survival, and justice on the Montana range.
Have you ever found a long-lost book or family item that sparked your curiosity? We’d love to hear your story. Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation about the fascinating journeys our most cherished items can take.

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