Here at The Poet and The Piper, our love for vintage treasures, especially books and antique-inspired art, runs deep. As purveyors of naturalist-inspired home decor, we’ve always found inspiration in history’s most exquisite works, particularly those that reflect the beauty of the natural world. However, every once in a while, we uncover a story that disrupts the tranquil world of natural history—this one involving a rare book heist.
In 2004, a group of college students attempted to steal one of the most valuable natural history books ever produced: John James Audubon's Birds of America.
This crime shocked both the art world and the academic community, but it also serves as a reminder of how priceless such works are—not just for their monetary value, but for their cultural and historical significance.
Audubon’s Birds of America: A Masterpiece of Natural History.
John James Audubon (1785–1851) was a naturalist, ornithologist, and painter whose life’s work culminated in Birds of America, a monumental collection of illustrations depicting every known bird species in North America. Published between 1827 and 1838, the book remains one of the most revered works in both the fields of art and science. Audubon’s work is distinguished not only by its scientific accuracy but also by its artistic brilliance, with each bird rendered life-sized and in full color.
At The Poet and The Piper, our naturalist-inspired Victorian prints draw from this very tradition, celebrating the detailed beauty of the natural world. While we don’t have original Audubon prints, our antique-inspired collections offer a modern take on classic naturalist art, perfect for those looking to bring timeless elegance into their home decor.
The Heist: An Ill-Fated Plan.
The story of the heist begins in Lexington, Kentucky, at Transylvania University. Four young men—Eric Borsuk, Warren Lipka, Spencer Reinhard, and Chas Allen—hatched a plan to steal Audubon’s Birds of America from the university’s rare book room, motivated by the knowledge that the book’s value was estimated at over $10 million.
What makes this crime particularly curious is the lack of necessity: these students were not driven by financial desperation but rather a misguided desire for notoriety. Their plan was to enter the library, subdue the librarian, and steal not only Birds of America but also other rare volumes, including a first edition of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. The group spent months preparing, staking out the library and familiarising themselves with its security measures.
However, their lack of experience quickly became apparent. The heist took place on December 17, 2004. After their initial attempt, which involved outlandish disguises, failed, the group returned the next day with a simpler approach. Warren Lipka, one of the key figures, subdued the librarian, Betty Jean Gooch, with a stun gun—a distressing event from which she thankfully recovered. They then attempted to carry out Audubon’s massive volumes—each one weighing about 40 pounds—wrapped in bedsheets.
The absurdity of the situation only added to the chaos, and in their panic, they abandoned the books and fled. The group’s downfall came when they attempted to sell their remaining stolen goods at Christie’s auction house in New York City. Their amateur mistakes—most notably, giving the auction house a real phone number—led to their arrest. All four were eventually sentenced to seven years in federal prison, and the stolen books were recovered unharmed.
The Significance of Birds of America in Natural History.
For lovers of natural history, Birds of America represents more than just an art collection; it is a testament to the dedication and passion of one man’s quest to document the avian world in all its glory.
The sheer scale and beauty of the work continue to inspire artists and naturalists alike, which is why the attempted theft of such a masterpiece is both shocking and disheartening. At The Poet and The Piper, we admire the dedication it takes to create art that captures the beauty of the natural world. Audubon’s work is not merely a historical artifact but an inspiration that lives on in today’s naturalist and antique-inspired art. For those who wish to celebrate this tradition, our Victorian-style prints offer a modern interpretation of the classic naturalist aesthetic, perfect for adding a touch of historical elegance to any home.
A Cautionary Tale.
This true crime story serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding our cultural and natural history treasures. While the young men involved in the heist sought fame and fortune, they overlooked the profound significance of the works they were attempting to steal. Birds of America and similar works represent the culmination of years of painstaking research, observation, and artistry. At The Poet and The Piper, we believe in honoring this legacy, not through reckless acts, but by preserving and celebrating these timeless pieces of art.
What are your thoughts on the Audubon heist and the value of naturalist art? Share your insights with us in the comments below, and don’t forget to explore our latest antique-inspired prints at The Poet and The Piper—perfect for those who cherish the beauty of the natural world, minus the heist.