Magazine from 1894 is finally returned to New Hampshire public library

A magazine checked out and overdue from a New Hampshire library has finally been returned — perhaps as long as 132 years late.

John Hanson, an 84-year-old Barrington resident, recently strolled into the Concord Public Library to turn in a relatively well-cared-for edition of The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine from September 1894.

In theory, Hanson could have been on the hook for a $12,055 fine for being 48,220 days overdue. But when he returned it, the library was in the midst of a “fine freeze,” which canceled late fees.

“Yeah, when I saw that, I said to myself, ‘Boy, this would be a good time to bring it back,’” Hanson told NBC News on Tuesday.

The magazine is clearly the property of the Concord Public Library, with a bookplate bearing its name and a reminder to readers that it “may be kept for one week.”

Archivist and outreach coordinator Jennifer Needham was working at the circulation desk when Hanson arrived with an envelope in hand.

“‘I have a book to return, and I bet you haven’t seen anything like this,’” Needham said, recalling Hanson’s introduction. “I honestly thought it was going to be from the 1980s, ’90s or 2000s. But…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health