"Apostle" by Ivan Fedorov published in 1574 stolen from Vernadsky Library

The first oldest printed book in Ukraine "Apostle" published in 1574 by Ivan Fedorov is missing from the Department of old-printed and rare books of the National Vernadsky Library, reports the Radio Svoboda.

According to the director of the library Vladimir Popik, the theft occurred on May 10. "We are in contact with investigation bodies but I will not comment right now in interest of the investigation", he said. The police conducted primary investigative actions and opened proceedings under Art. 185, p.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (theft).

The press service of the capital department of the National police in Kiev said that the statement about the disappearance of early printed books has not been reported out of the library. However, according to Alexander Morozov, the head of the Museum of Rare Books of Gogol State University of Nezhin, the Ministry of Culture has warned of the possibility of stealing old-printed books.

At the same time, Vladimir Popik said, "Among the remaining editions, this book presents a rarity. Therefore, the information about the theft should be made public to draw attention to a more careful storage of rare literature".

The Lviv "Apostle" has a scientific and historical value. Presently there are more than 90 known surviving copies. We know about the more than 90 copies of this edition. Ukraine’s ancient print edition presents an old Church translation of "The Acts and Epistles of the Apostles" and is worth up to half a million dollars.

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