Two 15th century maps stolen from the Spanish National Library in Madrid, Spain have been recovered, with the help of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s special art crime department.

The maps, from an edition of Ptolemy’s Geographia, were found at a home of a private collector in Sydney, Australia who claimed that he bought them at a public auction in London.

“The theft of cultural property is a worldwide problem which the FBI takes very seriously. This type of crime is not only an offense against an institution, but deprives the international community of its cultural heritage,” FBI Director Robert Mueller said. “We are pleased to assist the Spanish National Police and Civil Guard in returning these treasures to their rightful owners.”

Meanwhile, the investigating team has confirmed the robber’s identity. His name is Cesar Gomez Rivero, a 60-year-old man originally from Uruguay with Spanish nationality living in Argentina. The authorities of United Kingdom, Australia and Argentina have recovered nine other maps. In total, 11 stolen maps were recovered. (via AHN)