Paddy Riordan returned the book to the Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library in Coventry, along with an £18.27 fine for its 4,385-week overdue status.

A library book was returned by the grandson of the original borrower 84 years late.

The nature book Red Deer by Richard Jeffries was checked out from the Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library in Coventry in 1938 by Captain William Humphries for his daughter Anne.

It remained unnoticed on his shelves until 1957 when he passed away.

Anne also passed away recently, but the book remained undiscovered until Paddy Riordan discovered it while going through his grandfather’s possessions.

Mr. Riordan returned it to the library along with the £18.27 fine, or one old penny per week. At the current rate of 25 pence per day, the total fine would be £7,673. On Amazon, copies of the book are available for less than £4.

The book had only been checked out eight times before its loan to Captain Humphries.

A notice on the front page of the book politely requests that it be returned as soon as possible, even if it is before the due date.

It states: “Books may be kept for fourteen days. However, for the convenience of all borrowers, it is requested that all books be returned immediately upon completion, even if the 14-day period has not yet expired. For detention exceeding 14 days, fines will be assessed according to the regulations: one penny per week (or fraction thereof).”

A member of staff posted on Facebook: “A copy of Richard Jefferies’s Red Deer has been returned 84 years and two weeks late!

“Paddy returned the book from his grandfather’s collection and generously donated the fine of 1d per week, equivalent to £18.27 in current currency.

How fortunate that the book has finally found its way home!