Behind an inconspicuous wooden door, the Jewish Theological Seminary in downtown Budapest harbors one of the largest and most valuable Jewish book collections in Europe, according to an article in the Sept. 9 issue of The New York Times. But about 20,000 books and many valuable manuscripts have been missing since German troops marched into the city and seized books.

Now more than 80 years later, the books are slowly returning to the 150-year-old seminary, sometimes individually, sometimes in batches. Booksellers, librarians and museums in Europe and from afar are reviewing provenance and returning books. Soon, about 45,000 old and rare books will move into an archival space equipped with the latest technology, a gift from a private foundation.                     Getty Images