The simple truth is books get worn out with use, become unappealing to readers, or have outdated images or content. Public libraries - such as the one alleged in this story - deal with popular works and a book of that subject, from that date, would be a very unusual on a public library shelf due to frequent updating of the circulating collection. Too arcane or rare would have it in a special collection. Not all collections or titles are found in these search tools but chances are excellent any major work of that age still in a library would be listed in one or more of these indexes. A search of WorldCat (a catalog of library catalogs), the Library of Congress, and the British Museum failed to bring up any copies of this book anywhere. Recently via several sites and especially the work of Linda Moulton Howe, a book has been mentioned as one stolen away by mysterious men in black, NSA, or other clandestine agency.
