Incredible collection. LOL - on the modern side, I love reading Steven Saylor as well! Lindsey Davis is another good UK Roman mystery author. Haven't read Stephen Fry or the others yet, have taken them down and will look out for those books now.
When I was in college, I had a great job working in the campus library. My wife was the secretary for the Library Director. The library had been closed stacks for many years, but with the new director, he opened the stacks. Due to a low budget, he needed a way to make sure books weren't walking out the door, unchecked. In order to have a system to verify the books had been properly checked out, he secured all the doors with "fire doors" and left one door for the patrons to exit the library. Since there was no budget for a security system that all the books would have a magnetic strip (like stores) on the inside of the book. Until a budget could be given to set up the security system, he placed a desk an a chair at the only door the patrons could leave the store, and had a student employee of the library, check all books to verify they had been properly checked out. $2/hour in 1973 and I got the job. It didn't hurt that my wife was the Director's secretary. Being an accounting major, I was able to do my homework at the desk. The guys didn't mind me checking their backpacks, but the girls didn't want me to look into their purses. Anyway, back to books... sure there was some thefts, but a lot less than before. I guess what I am saying, those of you with great libraries, watch them. Your wife's/husband's friends might like your books a little too much and be tempted. If you could afford it, a glass door that has a very secure lock will ensure that you have your collection for a long time. Thanks you for sharing with us, your library. It's one of the best I have ever seen.
This is a great great story Thank you In a few days I'll start posting coin books, Antiquarian to begin with