Career criminal jailed for stealing 350-year-old museum map
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 17:08 · Archive
Melvin West, 70, has been jailed for three years for stealing a 17th-century map from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Melvin West, 70, from Chingford in East London, was convicted of theft, criminal damage and possession of a bladed article. He visited the Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich on several occasions before stealing the map on 26 February 2025. West used a Stanley knife to slice one of twelve maps from a 1684 atlas printed by Dutch cartographer Frederick de Wit. Staff discovered the discarded blade in the viewing room, and DNA evidence linked it to West, who was also identified on CCTV as the last person alone in the reading room.
The map is a double hemisphere world map called Nova Orbis Tabula, described as one of only three in existence. The complete atlas was valued at around £50,000, but its value was reduced to £20,000 after the theft and damage. Prosecutors told Woolwich Crown Court that the map alone was worth £6,000 on the black market. The museum said the 'cultural loss far outweighs the financial loss' and revealed it has since invested £6,000 in new CCTV cameras.
Despite earlier court proceedings being adjourned to allow West to recover from heart surgery, he has still refused to reveal the map's whereabouts. The judge told West he had led police, the courts and the National Maritime Museum a 'merry dance' about the location of the stolen item. The map remains missing.
How it is being reported
- Notorious art thief, 70, who used Stanley knife to rip £6K map from 350-year-old atlas in museum library is jailed for three yearsFather-of-two Melvin West, 70, previously pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates' Court in May to theft, criminal damage and possession of a bladed article.Daily Mail · 22 Oct, 16:56
- Career criminal jailed for stealing 350-year-old map from National Maritime MuseumMelvin West, 70, still refuses to reveal the map’s whereaboutsThe Independent · 22 Oct, 16:29
In this story: Melvin West · National Maritime Museum · Frederick de Wit · Greenwich · Woolwich Crown Court · Chingford
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