How an ancient book looted a century ago ended up in the hands of a US magnate

The 1535 manuscript 'General and Natural History of the Indies' by Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo, once housed in Spain’s Academy of History, was looted over a century ago and now resides at the Huntington Library in California. The book's torn pages highlight the long-standing issue of cultural artifacts being illegally taken and sold, often ending up in private collections. This story underscores the importance of cultural heritage preservation and the ethical concerns surrounding the ownership of historical artifacts, especially when they're acquired by private collectors. The saga of this book reveals the complexities and moral dilemmas in the world of antiquities and cultural restitution.