In 1973 , Howard Simon — an eighth - grader in Cleveland Heights , Ohio — take up a copy ofBob Dylan’s1970 albumSelf Portraitfrom his local library . It was due in June of that twelvemonth , but Simon never returned it .
Instead , Self Portraitbecame part of Simon ’s personal track record collection , which bounce around with him mainly between Chicago and various California metropolis throughout his grownup spirit . He settled down to retire in San Francisco , where he recently rediscover the pilfered LP wedged between Dylan ’s albumsNashville SkylineandNew Morning . ( Simon evidently organise his records by artist , keep an eye on by sack appointment . )
AsThe Guardianreports , Simon decide it was gamy clock time to return the record album to its original home plate . He mail it to the University Heights depository library , along with a alphabetic character explaining the gaffe , $ 175 to cover any fees , and a copy of an Ohio - exhort folks record album he himself released : Western Reserve .
“ As a recent retiree , I am take the opportunity to turn my attention to some of the many vignettes of lifespan that by dint of vocation and sept have been neglected these many years , ” Simonwrote . “ In that context , I am rejoin with this letter an delinquent item ( by my count , approximately 17,480 days delinquent as of this penning ) … it ’s quite late , and I ’m quite sorry ! ”
ThoughSelf Portrait ’s case was pretty buffet after well-nigh half a one C ’s clothing and tear , the actual records were well - keep . And since the library does n’t charge late fees at all anymore , whatever money is left over after reinforcing or supplant the sleeve will just be considered a contribution .
“ As long as we get the item back , we see no need to penalize masses , ” library branch manager Sara Phillipssaidin a news release . “ We ’re grateful that Mr. Simon returned the platter . I ’d said we can now call it even . ”
[ h / tThe Guardian ]
