Send pictures to us
Send us your pictures and video by text, email or by uploading. Click here to find out how. »
|
|
|
|
Has rare bible been auctioned abroad?
5:30am Thursday 17th May 2007
Comments (3)WORSHIPPERS at a Hampshire church fear a treasured Bible is being hawked around antique markets in the US or Far East for a four-figure sum.
The historic 18th century Bible was snatched from St Mary's Church in Twyford last month.
The crook was captured on CCTV and is seen coming into church with a panama-style hat obscuring his face. Minutes later he leaves, but soon after returns carrying a plastic bag.
Police believe the plastic bag contained a replacement bible which the thief placed in the display cabinet he had managed to unlock. His deception meant that the theft of the bible was not spotted for two weeks.
Nigel Close, a parishioner who looks after the church's CCTV, said: "He was professional.
"He was careful to take his hat off when he was away from the camera, so no one would see him wearing a hat in church for too long.
"It is very frustrating. The Bible is probably in the US or the Far East. It is like archaeology - when you take something out of its context it loses something. It was our Bible."
The book was a rare example of a "Vinegar Bible" printed with a misprint in Oxford in 1717. The printer John Baskett mistakenly transposed the word "vinegar" with "vinyard" in Luke, chapter 20.
Police are linking the Twyford theft with one in Farley Chamberlayne, near Romsey. A series of seven volumes of the Old and New Testament, dating from 1800, were stolen from St John's Church.
Your Say YourThis is Hampshire
Ali, says...
1:28pm Thu 17 May 07
The_Shotster, Southampton says...
9:35am Fri 18 May 07
SADNESS: The Rev Mark Bailey with the replacement Bible left behind by the thief.
In this section
- About turn from stores over salute to the Tigers posters
- Deputy Lieutenant killed in air crash
- Matchstick man with four million reasons to enter the Guinness record book
- Three held after £180,000 amphetamine seized
- Agency chairman claimed £1,000 a week on transport
- Pensioner cut from crash wreckage
- SHAMEFUL : An insult to our heroes
- Oh-dour! Waft can the matter be . . ?
- Man due in court charged with jewels robbery
- Park yourself up for Ashes cricket
Sponsored Links
|
|
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Sue, Southampton says...
7:41am Thu 17 May 07
Southampton seems to be the only place where all the churches are closed to the public. It is very sad as over the last few days many people have wanted to go to church to pray for Madeleine. The churches seem to change the times of services for no reason. Deaf church which meets at Highfield Church was cancelled. Why? The deaf church meets for one sunday a month at 3 pm. The service was moved to Chilworth which was not very helpful for those who do not have cars.