Greg Priore, 61, archivist of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s special collections since 1992, and John Schulman, 54, a well-known US dealer, were charged in July with multiple offences in the connection with the alleged theft of $8m rare books.
They were originally due to appear in court on August 15.
While some works have been recovered, hundreds of books and prints that were taken from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh remain at large.
Court papers allege that between the late 1990s and 2016, Priore used his position to steal books on the advice of Schulman, and then sold them on through auctions and the trade in the US and Europe.
Schulman, a co-founder of Caliban Book Shop and an expert on the US Antiques Roadshow, has resigned from the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America.
In a statement issued by the ABAA, seen by ATG, it said John Schulman of Caliban Books in Pittsburgh “tendered his resignation from the ABAA, which has been accepted. The ABAA very much regrets the circumstances that led to this member's resignation, and hopes that justice will be served as the situation plays out.”
Schulman is charged with theft, receiving stolen property, dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, conspiracy, retail theft, theft by deception, forgery and deceptive business practices.
Priore is charged with theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, retail theft, library theft, criminal mischief and forgery.
View the ABAA’s list of stolen books yet to be recovered.
