The 30-year mystery over these maritime books - with Sunderland at the centre of the puzzle

The search is on to find the relatives of a Huddersfield man whose late wife loaned a collection of maritime books and documents to Sunderland City Council in the 1990s.

Although unique in its nature, the collection is not specific or relevant to Sunderland and the city council is keen to return it to his family.

The Bob Mason Maritime collection was gifted to Sunderland City Council Library service by his late wife Vera Mason in the 1990s in the form of an indefinite loan.

The collection consists of a large number of books, documents, and blueprints. It also contains small personal drawing books and documentation from various White Star and Cunard lines dating back to the early 1900s.

Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, said: "While this collection is unique, it does not contain anything of relevance to Sunderland's own maritime history so we would very much like to reunite the collection with Mr Mason's family.

"We believe Mr Mason's wife, Vera lived in the Fartown area of Huddersfield and that other relatives may have lived in the area and other locations within West Yorkshire and we would ask any members of the family to get in touch so that we can make arrangements to return the collection to them."

Can you help? Any interested parties should email: [email protected] by July 7, 2021.

Officials say that proof of a family connection will be required.

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