SAN FRANCISCO (AP) –Two Italian history books from the 17th century have been discovered in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be returned to their country of origin.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the books, Stirpium Historiae and Rariorm Plantarum Historia Anno 1601, were stolen from Italy’s Historical National Library of Agriculture and sold to an antiquities dealer in Italy.

Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Prince says a buyer in the San Francisco Bay Area, who was unaware the books were stolen, purchased them.

The books are among 19 stolen artifacts slated for return to the Italian government. The newspaper reports they include a 17th century cannon, fifth century Greek pottery and some items dating to 300-460 B.C. The goods were smuggled into the United States over the last several years.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com

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AP-WF-02-26-15 1451GMT