Last week, a significant historical document authored by Christopher Columbus during the 15th century was repatriated to Italy by United States federal officials. The manuscript, an original edition of Columbus’s findings in the Caribbean Islands, had been taken from a museum in Venice and replaced with a forgery. This marks the fourth occasion in recent years that American officials have returned stolen editions of the rare document. The original letter, dated 1493, describes Columbus’s expedition to the Caribbean Islands and addresses the Spanish royals who provided financial support for his journey. It was an important historical artifact that shed light on the explorer’s discoveries and interactions with European leaders of the time. The repatriation ceremony was attended by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Patrick J. Lechleitner, who traveled to Rome for the occasion. He praised the collaboration between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Italian officials, emphasizing the strong partnership between Italy and the United States, particularly on law enforcement matters. The return of the document came as a result of a complex seven-year investigation carried out by American and Italian officials. In 2011, inquiries into the whereabouts of the manuscript were initiated after multiple editions were found to be stolen from libraries in Europe and replaced with forged copies. Similar cases of repatriation occurred in 2018 when the US returned one to Italy from the Vatican, and others taken from libraries in Barcelona and Florence. In 2020, authorities announced the discovery of the current document, which was estimated to be worth $1.3 million. It had been reported missing from the Marciana National Library in Venice since 1988. Further investigation revealed that it had been sold privately in 2005 and eventually ended up in a privately owned manuscript collection in the United States.
The collector, whose identity remains undisclosed, cooperated with the officials to ensure the safe return of the precious artifact. Both American and Italian authorities worked together to trace the document’s provenance and ensure its rightful repatriation. Upon its return, the rare Christopher Columbus document will be showcased in a traveling exhibition, allowing the public to marvel at its historical significance and learn more about Columbus’s voyages to the New World. Its recovery serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and cooperation among nations to combat art and artifact theft. In a time when historical artifacts are at risk of being lost or stolen, this successful repatriation highlights the dedication and efforts of law enforcement agencies and governments in protecting and restoring priceless treasures to their countries of origin.
