The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

1. A Thief's Obsession: The Allure of Rare Books

I like the feeling of having a book worth five or ten grand in my hands. And there’s that sense of admiration you’re gonna get from other people.

Status and Admiration. John Gilkey's obsession with rare books stemmed not only from a love of literature but also from a desire for status and admiration. He craved the feeling of owning valuable objects and the respect he believed they would garner from others. This desire fueled his criminal activities, as he sought to acquire books that would elevate his social standing and fulfill his fantasy of living a cultured, wealthy life.

The Victorian Fantasy. Gilkey's vision of the ideal life was heavily influenced by British Victorian movies, where gentlemen possessed grand libraries and wore smoking jackets. This romanticized image fueled his desire to build a similar collection, regardless of the ethical implications. He wanted to create a personal sanctuary, a space where he could immerse himself in the trappings of wealth and erudition.

More than just reading. For Gilkey, the books themselves were often secondary to their physical presence and perceived value. He admitted to rarely reading the books he stole, instead focusing on their aesthetic appeal and the status they conferred. This highlights a key distinction between a book lover and a book collector, where the latter often prioritizes ownership and display over the act of reading.

2. The Making of a Thief: Early Influences and First Crimes

I kept a collection of Richie Rich comic books in my bedroom.

Early Exposure to Collecting. Gilkey's interest in collecting began in childhood with Richie Rich comic books, drawn to the character's wealth and access to treasures. This early fascination with material possessions and the idea of instant gratification laid the groundwork for his later obsession with rare books. His parents' garage sale finds also instilled in him the idea that seemingly worthless objects could appreciate in value.

A Family Affair. Gilkey described a family culture where stealing from one another was commonplace, normalizing the act of taking what wasn't rightfully his. This environment likely desensitized him to the ethical implications of theft and contributed to his skewed sense of fairness. His first crime, stealing a catcher's mitt, went unpunished, further reinforcing the idea that he could get away with taking what he wanted.

The Inspiration of Fiction. While serving time in jail, Gilkey read John Dunning's Booked to Die, a novel about a woman collector who profits from her knowledge of rare books. This book inspired him to become more serious and thorough in his research, transforming his casual interest in books into a focused pursuit of valuable collectibles.

3. The Book Cop: Ken Sanders's Relentless Pursuit

I was thinking that he would be attracted to a good fair like a moth to a flame, and he would be there to steal books.

A Passion for Justice. Ken Sanders, a rare book dealer with a strong sense of justice, took on the role of security chair for the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA). Driven by a desire to protect his colleagues and the integrity of the rare book trade, he dedicated himself to catching book thieves, particularly John Gilkey, who became his primary target.

Technological Innovation. Sanders revolutionized the ABAA's security system by implementing an email alert system and a stolen-book database, enabling dealers to quickly share information about thefts and be on the lookout for stolen items. This technological advancement significantly improved the trade's ability to combat book theft.

A Personal Vendetta. Sanders's pursuit of Gilkey became deeply personal, fueled by a sense of responsibility to his colleagues and a desire to hold the thief accountable for his actions. He spent countless hours tracking Gilkey's movements, alerting other dealers, and working with law enforcement to bring him to justice.

4. The Saks Connection: Credit Card Fraud and a World of Luxury

It was that easy.

Opportunity Knocks. Gilkey's job at Saks Fifth Avenue provided him with access to a wealth of credit card information, which he exploited to fund his book-stealing activities. He saw the instant credit accounts and customer receipts as a "gold mine," enabling him to acquire valuable books without spending his own money.

The Allure of Luxury. Working at Saks exposed Gilkey to a world of luxury and wealth, further fueling his desire to possess valuable objects and elevate his social standing. He enjoyed interacting with wealthy clientele and imagined himself as one of them, surrounded by fine books and other symbols of affluence.

A Calculated System. Gilkey developed a systematic approach to stealing credit card information, carefully selecting receipts and avoiding detection. He understood the vulnerabilities of the system and exploited them to his advantage, demonstrating a cunning and calculated approach to his criminal activities.

5. The Book Fair Heist: A Thief Among Collectors

I was thinking that he would be attracted to a good fair like a moth to a flame.

Brazenness and Confidence. Gilkey's attendance at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco, even after being identified as a suspect, demonstrated his brazenness and confidence. He roamed the aisles, admiring books and even attempting to sell stolen items, seemingly unafraid of being caught.

A Close Encounter. Ken Sanders, who was also at the fair, believed he locked eyes with Gilkey, experiencing a strange sense of recognition. However, Gilkey vanished before Sanders could confirm his identity, highlighting the thief's ability to blend in and evade detection.

The Invisible Man. Gilkey even carried a copy of H.G. Wells's The Invisible Man with him at the book fair, a fitting symbol of his ability to move undetected among the collectors and dealers. This detail adds a layer of irony to his presence at the fair, as he sought to acquire more books while remaining hidden in plain sight.

6. The Treasure Island Trove: A Raid and a Revelation

I’m going to build us a grand estate.

A Collector's Lair. The police raid on Gilkey's apartment on Treasure Island revealed the extent of his obsession, with books and collectibles crammed into every corner. The apartment served as both a living space and a storage facility for his ill-gotten gains, highlighting the central role that books played in his life.

A Catalog of Stolen Goods. The raid uncovered a wide range of stolen items, including rare books, autographs, coins, and movie posters, confirming Gilkey's status as a prolific thief. The presence of shopping lists and research materials further illustrated his meticulous planning and dedication to his criminal pursuits.

The End of the Line. The raid marked a turning point in Gilkey's story, as it provided law enforcement with the evidence needed to build a strong case against him. The discovery of the stolen goods and credit card information led to his arrest and eventual imprisonment, bringing an end to his years of book thievery.

7. The Ethics of Collecting: When Passion Crosses the Line

Every rare book is a stolen book.

The Fine Line. The story of John Gilkey raises questions about the ethics of collecting and the motivations that drive people to acquire rare and valuable objects. While many collectors are driven by a genuine love of books and a desire to preserve cultural heritage, others may be motivated by greed, status, or a desire to possess what they cannot afford.

The Temptation to Steal. Several book dealers admitted to having been tempted to steal a book at some point in their careers, highlighting the allure of rare and valuable objects and the ease with which one could cross the line from admirer to thief. This underscores the importance of ethical boundaries and the need for vigilance in the rare book trade.

The Victim's Perspective. The story also sheds light on the impact of theft on the victims, the book dealers who lose valuable items and suffer financial and emotional distress. Their stories highlight the importance of security measures and the need for a strong sense of community within the rare book trade to combat theft.

8. The Cycle of Crime: Imprisonment and the Urge to Steal

Once you’ve done time, you start to feel that way.

Entitlement and Revenge. Gilkey's repeated arrests and imprisonments did little to deter him from his criminal activities. Instead, each release from prison was followed by a renewed sense of entitlement and a desire for revenge, fueling his urge to steal more books and "even the score."

The Ineffectiveness of Punishment. The story suggests that traditional forms of punishment may not be effective in deterring individuals like Gilkey, whose motivations are rooted in deep-seated psychological needs and a skewed sense of justice. This raises questions about the need for alternative approaches to rehabilitation and addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior.

A Repeating Pattern. Gilkey's life was characterized by a repeating cycle of theft, arrest, imprisonment, and release, highlighting the difficulty of breaking free from criminal patterns. This cycle underscores the complex interplay of individual choices, environmental factors, and psychological motivations that contribute to criminal behavior.

9. The Allure of the Past: Books as Tangible History

I want my sentences to smell of the leather of my traveling shoes . . .

More Than Just Content. The story emphasizes the importance of books as physical objects, historical artifacts, and repositories of memories. Collectors are drawn not only to the stories and information contained within books but also to their aesthetic qualities, their age, and their connection to the past.

A Sensory Experience. The rare book trade is a sensory experience, involving the sight, touch, and smell of old books. Collectors appreciate the feel of thick, rough-edged pages, the sharp beauty of type, the tightness of linen or pigskin covers, and the papery smell, all of which contribute to their allure.

A Link to the Past. Ancient books provide a tangible link to the past, allowing collectors to connect with history in a personal and meaningful way. The story of the Kräutterbuch, a 400-year-old botanical medicine book, illustrates the power of books to transport readers to another time and place.

10. The Tangled Web: Deception, Justification, and the Art of the Steal

All, and I mean all, book thieves are natural-born liars.

A Master of Deception. John Gilkey was a skilled liar, adept at manipulating and deceiving others to achieve his goals. He used a variety of tactics, including disguising his voice, fabricating stories, and exploiting the trust of booksellers, to steal valuable books.

Rationalizing the Crime. Gilkey justified his actions by claiming that he was "evening the score" against wealthy book dealers who charged exorbitant prices. He also argued that he was making books more accessible to people who appreciated them, framing his thefts as a form of redistribution.

The Art of the Steal. Gilkey's story reveals the intricate planning and meticulous execution involved in his book thefts. He researched his targets, identified vulnerabilities in their security systems, and developed elaborate schemes to acquire the books he desired, demonstrating a level of dedication and ingenuity that bordered on obsession.

Last updated: March 18, 2025