A rare book owned by Mary Anning that was stolen over 40 years ago from Lyme Regis Museum has been returned to the museum on Mary Anning’s 225th birthday.

The rare 1821 book, JS Miller’s Natural History of the Crinoidea, contains a personal inscription from the author.

After Mary’s death her brother, Joseph, gave the book to the Elizabeth Philpott. It was donated to the museum by Mrs Lister in 1929 and was one of the first donations to the newly formed museum where it was recorded in the Trustee minute book, including details of the inscription.

The book was noticed to be missing in 1985 by former honorary curator John Fowles. It was presumed to have been stolen between 1946 and 1979 but there was no evidence of who the thief was or when it went missing.

At this time the museum was run entirely by volunteers, and the building would be unlocked allowing public to visit without supervision or without any volunteers on-site.

In 2022 geology curator Dr Paul Davis saw a YouTube video from Museums Victoria in Australia focussing on the book and its inscription and that it was bought in 1985, for £300, from Blackwells of Oxford. The unique inscription allowed Dr Davis to recognise that this was the stolen book and contacted Museums Victoria.

Museums Victoria acted with complete propriety when they realised that the book had been stolen and unwittingly purchased by them. They agreed to return the book to Lyme Regis Museum, which is cited on Anning’s former home and fossil shop.

The book arrived back at Lyme Regis in time for Anning’s 225th birthday and almost 95 years to the day it was first donated to the museum. The book will now go on public display and be available to view in the museum from June 8.

Dr Paul Davis, geology curator at Lyme Regis Museum said: "This is an important and significant book that belonged to Mary Anning and was donated to the museum 95 years ago. Mary receiving a signed and inscribed copy of the book from the author shows that she her expertise was clearly recognised and highly regarded by the scientists of the day. There are so few items that belonged to Mary, and it is fantastic that the book has returned home to the museum so that it can be used to tell the story of this pioneering palaeontologist in the place she lived and worked."

Hayley Webster manager at Library, Museums Victoria said: "Museums Victoria purchased the rare book A natural history of the Crinoidea from a reputable bookseller in 1985 to support museum research. From 1985 until May 2024 the book was cared for by the museum's experts in our collection stores to ensure its excellent condition. 'We are pleased to return this book to the Lyme Regis Museum, in recognition of the historical significance of this item to the Lyme Regis Museum’s mission and the significance of Mary Anning’s life and legacy to this region’s history."