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Letter Laid to Crank Sent to Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting

By Lucius Beebe

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 7. – That ominous institution, the Harvard Fogg museum of art, has received a threatening letter from supposed Black Hand or Communist sources as a result of the recent purchase of a $50,000 painting recently acquired by the museum. The receipt of the letter was revealed today. It was learned that Edward W. Forbes, Harvard fine arts lecturer and one of the country’s foremost art authorities, received the threatening letter after the announcement of the purchase of the painting early in February. The painting, which is believed by art authorities to be an authentic Botticelli produced in the latter years of the master’s career, is addressed to the “Fogg Museum, Harvard College.” Mr. Forbes said he did not take the contents seriously and prefers to ascribe it to “some crank.” Nevertheless, he turned over to Charles Apfel, chief of the Harvard yard police, in case it should be taken seriously. Its receipt was made public only today. The letter is understood to have contained a demand for a sum of money, and to have threatened to annoy the Fogg officials or cause damage to university property. Mr. Forbes declined to make public the contents of the letter, but it is understood that the demand was for a large sum of money. Mr. Forbes said he had not taken the matter to the police, as he did not consider it serious. He said he had received similar letters before, but this was the first time he had received one which he considered serious enough to turn over to the police.

The acquisition of the Botticelli was announced last month. The painting, which is entitled “Savior With the Crown of Thorns,” was purchased by Harvard authorities after long consideration by means of the fund known as “The Friends of the Fogg Museum.” The painting, which has long been known to art experts, had been lost for centuries and was recently discovered by Agnew & Co., a New York firm of art dealers.

In referring to this picture, Dr. Raymond Von Marle, an art expert, writes in the October issue of “International Studio,” that it was one of the last works to be produced by the master, and that it is a work of great importance. “It is a work which Botticelli seems to have created only on rare occasions.”

The image is a newspaper clipping dated March 7, reporting on a significant event involving the Harvard Museum of Fine Arts. The article, titled "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting," is written by Lucius Beebe.

Key points from the article:

1. Threatening Letter and Purchase Announcement:

   • An official at the Harvard Museum of Fine Arts received a threatening letter from an unidentified source, likely Black Hand or Communist sources.
   • The letter came after the museum announced the purchase of a $50,000 painting.

2. Painting Details:

   • The painting, titled "Saviour With the Crown of Thorns," was acquired by Harvard authorities after significant consideration.
   • It was previously believed to be a lost Botticelli work, rediscovered by Agnew & Co., a New York art firm.

3. Reaction and Context:

   • Edward W. Forbes, Harvard's fine arts lecturer, was contacted by an individual who had received the threatening letter.
   • Forbes dismissed the letter's seriousness, attributing it to a joke. However, he noted its contents were harshly critical of the museum's spending, suggesting the money could have been better spent to alleviate unemployment.
   • Forbes did not disclose whether the letter was signed.

4. Artistic Expertise:

   • Dr. Raymond Von Marle, an art expert, wrote in an October issue of "Art News" that the painting was a new work by Botticelli, not one of his lost masterpieces.
   • He emphasized that Botticelli's works were usually highly refined and not often produced in such modest forms.

The article highlights a mix of the cultural and artistic significance of the painting, the concern over the threatening letter, and the academic debate over its authenticity.

The image is a newspaper clipping with the headline "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting." The article, written by Lucius Beebe, is dated March 7 and is from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The article reports that the Fogg Museum at Harvard University had received a threatening letter from someone claiming to be from Black Hand or Communist sources. The letter was sent after the announcement of the museum's acquisition of a $50,000 painting, identified as a Botticelli, titled "Saviour With the Crown of Thorns." The painting had been considered a lost masterpiece for centuries and was recently discovered by Agnew & Co., a New York art firm.

The letter was addressed to the Fogg Museum and was received by Edward W. Forbes, a Harvard fine arts lecturer. Forbes stated that the letter was likely a hoax, but he passed it to Charles Apted, chief of the Harvard yard police, who considered it a threat to university property. Forbes declined to disclose the letter's contents but suggested it contained caustic remarks about the expenditure of $50,000 on the painting during a period of high unemployment.

Dr. Raymond Von Marle, an art expert, had previously declared the painting to be a genuine Botticelli, albeit not one of his most famous works. The article mentions that the painting was acquired through the Friends of the Fogg Museum fund.

The image shows a newspaper clipping from March 7, 1937, written by Lucius Beebe, a staff correspondent. The headline reads "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting."

The article discusses a threatening letter received by Edward W. Forbes, director of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, regarding the museum's acquisition of a Botticelli painting for $50,000. Forbes received the letter after the purchase announcement in February, which was identified as an authentic Botticelli work by art authorities. The letter was addressed to the Fogg Museum and Harvard College, expressing dissatisfaction and implying that the expenditure was inappropriate given the economic conditions of the time.

Forbes chose not to disclose the letter's contents publicly but mentioned it contained caustic comments on the purchase. The letter suggested that the money could have been better used to aid the unemployed. Forbes also indicated that the letter was not signed.

The article also provides background on the painting, "Saviour With the Crown of Thorns," which was acquired after long deliberation and was considered a significant addition to the museum's collection. Dr. Raymond Von Marle, an art expert, had previously written about the painting, noting it was a rare and impressive work by Botticelli.

The image is a newspaper article titled "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting" written by Lucius Beebe, a staff correspondent for the Cambridge, Mass. edition, dated March 7.

The article details an incident involving the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. The museum had recently acquired a painting believed to be an authentic work by the Renaissance artist Botticelli, titled "Savoir With the Crown of Thorns." The acquisition was announced the previous month and was made possible through funds from "The Friends of the Fogg Museum."

Shortly after the announcement, the museum received a threatening letter purportedly from either the Black Hand or Communist sources. The letter threatened to damage the painting unless a ransom was paid, specifically suggesting that the money should be used to alleviate unemployment among the laboring classes.

Edward W. Forbes, the director of the Fogg Museum, dismissed the letter as a crank and did not take it seriously. He refused to disclose the contents of the letter to the public, although he mentioned it contained a caustic comment on the expenditure for art during a time of prevailing unemployment.

The article also mentions that the authenticity of the Botticelli painting was confirmed by Dr. Raymond Van Marle, an art expert, after a long period of deliberation. It notes that adding a new work by Botticelli is a significant event, given that his known works are rare and highly valued. The article concludes by highlighting the rarity and importance of Botticelli's works.

The image is of a newspaper article from the New York Times, dated March 2, 1937. The headline reads "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting." The article, written by Lucius Beebe, reports on a letter received by Harvard University that criticizes the institution for spending $50,000 on a painting by Botticelli. The letter, addressed to the Fogg Museum at Harvard College, was signed by an unbalanced person who accused the university of misusing funds meant for the laboring classes. The painting, "Saviour With the Crown of Thorns," was acquired in January and purchased with funds from the Friends of the Fogg Museum. Dr. Raymond D. Havens, head of the Department of International Studies, defended the acquisition, stating that such purchases are rare and the painting is a genuine work by Botticelli. The article concludes by noting that while Botticelli is known for large productions, his modest works are also highly valued.

The image displays a newspaper article clipping featuring a column of text. The title of the article is "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution As It Buys $50,000 Painting" and it is credited to Louis Beebe. The article seems to be about an incident involving Harvard University receiving an unexpected letter and their acquisition of a painting valued at $50,000. The text mentions a person named Forbes, the Fogg Museum, and a painting by Botticelli, suggesting the content relates to an event in the art world. The article is presented on a worn and yellowed paper, which suggests it may be of some age. The exact details of the content are not fully visible due to the size of the text in the image, but the general subject appears to be centered around an event in the art community, involving a significant financial transaction for a piece of artwork.

The image shows a newspaper clipping with the headline: "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting" by Lucius Beebe. Below the headline is a lengthy article, presumably describing an incident at Harvard University involving a letter received from someone supposedly insane due to the university's expenditure of $50,000 on a painting. The article mentions various individuals associated with Harvard, such as Mr. Forbes and Professor Agassiz. The article concludes with remarks on the painting itself, noting its rarity and value. The text is tightly packed and spans the entire length of the clipping, with no added images or graphics.

The image is a scanned page from a newspaper or news article titled "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting" by Lucius Beebe, a staff correspondent. The article is dated March 7, 1936, and is published in CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

Content Overview:

The article discusses a controversial acquisition by the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. The museum had recently purchased a painting for $50,000, which sparked a reaction from supposed Black Hand or Communist sources. The article details the following key points:

1. The Painting and Its Acquisition

• The painting in question is believed to be an authentic work by Sandro Botticelli, a renowned Renaissance artist.
• The artwork is titled "Saviour With the Crown of Thorns" and is described as a significant piece from Botticelli's later career.
• The purchase was made using funds from the Friends of the Fogg Art Museum Fund.
• The painting had been lost for centuries and was recently rediscovered by Agnus & Co., a New York art firm.

2. The Threatening Letter

• After the announcement of the purchase, Edward W. Forbes, the director of the Fogg Museum, received a threatening letter.
• The letter was addressed to "Fogg Museum, Harvard College" and was signed by someone claiming to represent Black Hand or Communist sources.
• The letter accused the museum of spending a large sum of money on art while unemployment was prevalent, suggesting the funds could have been better used to alleviate suffering among laborers.
• Forbes dismissed the letter as the work of "some crank or mentally unbalanced person" and did not take its contents seriously.

3. Harvard's Response

• Charles Apted, the chief of the Harvard yard police, confirmed that Forbes had received the letter but stated that it was not considered a serious threat.
• Apted noted that while the letter contained caustic remarks, it was unlikely to incite violence or cause damage to university property.
• Forbes himself declined to make a public comment on the letter’s contents.

4. Expert Opinion on the Painting

• Dr. Raymond von Marle, an art expert, commented on the painting in the October issue of International Studio.
• Von Marle expressed initial hesitation about attributing the work to Botticelli but ultimately concluded that "Saviour With the Crown of Thorns" is indeed a genuine Botticelli piece.
• He described the painting as a "delicate matter" and noted that it is not one of Botticelli’s most famous works but rather a modest piece that the master produced only on rare occasions.

Visual and Layout Details:

• The text is presented in a typewritten or printed newspaper format, with clear headings and subheadings.
• The article is structured with paragraphs that provide context, quotes, and expert opinions.
• The layout includes a clear title at the top, followed by the byline and dateline.
• The article is dense with information, reflecting the seriousness of the controversy and the historical significance of the painting.

Key Themes:

• Art and Controversy: The article highlights the intersection of high art and political or social tensions.
• Authenticity and Expertise: It emphasizes the role of art experts in verifying the authenticity of a masterpiece.
• Institutional Responsibility: The piece raises questions about the role of institutions like Harvard in acquiring and displaying art, especially during economically challenging times.

This article provides a snapshot of the cultural and political climate of the 1930s, illustrating how art acquisitions could become entangled with broader societal issues.

The image is a scanned page from a newspaper, dated March 7, 1933, featuring an article titled "Letter Laid to Crank Sent Harvard Institution as It Buys $50,000 Painting." The article discusses a letter sent to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, expressing concern over the museum's acquisition of a painting for $50,000. The letter, which was threatening in nature, was sent by Edward W. Forbes, a Harvard fine arts lecturer and one of the museum's directors. Forbes had received the letter after the announcement of the painting's purchase in February. The painting, believed to be an authentic Botticelli, was purchased by the museum's fund, known as the Friends of the Fogg Museum. The article also mentions that the painting was brought to Cambridge and was purchased by Harvard authorities after long consideration. The author of the article, Lucius Beebe, discusses the authenticity of the painting and the potential implications of the letter's contents.