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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806515

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The image appears to be a photograph of a collection of clippings from newspapers, specifically from December 1973. These clippings are pasted onto a piece of beige paper. The titles and headlines of the articles suggest they are about a coin heist at Harvard University in 1973.

The articles discuss the theft of ancient Greek and Roman coins from the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The theft was described as "irreplaceable loss" for the university, which valued the coins at $1 million. The articles detail the circumstances of the theft, including how the thieves entered the museum, the amount of money and coins stolen, and the police investigation that followed.

The clippings also include photographs of some of the coins stolen from the museum, which feature figures and designs typical of ancient Greek and Roman coins. The newspapers mentioned in the clippings are "The Boston Globe" and "The New York Times." The papers seem to be preserved as historical records or as part of a collection related to the coin theft incident.

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This image shows a collection of newspaper clippings pasted onto a brown paper background. The clippings are related to the theft of ancient coins from Harvard University.

  1. The top left clipping is from "The Boston Globe" and is titled "Charlestown man hunted in coin heist." It discusses the theft of more than 5,000 ancient Greek and Roman coins from Harvard's Fogg Art Museum, valued at over $1 million. The article mentions that the FBI and local police are investigating the case.

  2. The top right clipping is from "The Pat Ledger" and is dated 12/3. It is titled "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss'." This article provides more details about the theft, including quotes from university officials and the FBI. It emphasizes the academic value of the stolen coins and the difficulty in fencing them due to their uniqueness.

  3. The bottom right clipping is from "The New York Times," dated Monday, December 3, 1973. It is titled "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard." This article describes the theft in detail, including the method used by the thieves and the value of the stolen coins. It also includes images of some of the rare coins stolen from Harvard’s Fogg Museum.

The clippings collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the coin theft incident, including the methods used by the thieves, the value of the stolen items, and the investigative efforts by law enforcement.

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This image shows a historical newspaper clipping mounted on aged, brown paper, likely preserved in a scrapbook or file. The clipping contains three articles from different newspapers, all reporting on the same major event: a large-scale theft of ancient coins from Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum in December 1973.

Here is a description of each article:

  1. Top Left: "Charlestown man hunted in coin heist" (Boston Globe, by George Croft)

    • This article reports that police and the FBI are searching for a man from Charlestown, believed to be the mastermind behind the multi-million dollar theft.
    • It identifies the suspect as "Mr. Ryan," who had been seen in the museum multiple times. He allegedly entered the museum carrying a shopping bag from a Boston Department store, left a bulky package inside, and later claimed to have left the bag "by mistake," requesting it be held for him.
    • The estimated value of the stolen 3762 ancient Greek and Roman coins is over $1 million, with authorities suggesting the value could be as high as $5 million.
    • The theft is believed to have been carried out by at least five men who entered through a clever ruse around 12:45 AM on Sunday.
  2. Top Right: "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss'" (Pat Ledger, 12/3)

    • This article, likely from the Patriot Ledger, emphasizes the cultural and historical significance of the loss, calling it a "tragic loss" for scholarship.
    • It states that the theft involved over 3,000 loose coins, with individual values ranging from $1 to $200,000.
    • The article includes quotes from David G. Mitten, associate curator of ancient art, who described the coins as a "fundamental part of our teaching resources" and lamented their irreplaceability because of their uniqueness.
    • It details the robbery: three or four armed men, some blindfolded and some with silver Greek coins in their mouths (as evidence), stole the coins early Sunday morning. They used a satchel to carry off the coins and were later charged with larceny.
    • The article concludes with a quote from a university official about the difficulty of disposing of the stolen coins due to the need for expert appraisal.
  3. Bottom: "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard" (The New York Times, Monday, December 3, 1973)

    • This is the most detailed article, providing a comprehensive account of the heist.
    • It reports that the coins were stolen from a display case in the rear basement room of the museum, which was used for storage.
    • The robbers were described as five men, one carrying a large brown bag, and another wearing a dark overcoat, two cars, and a light thumb. They were blindfolded and used keys to gain entry.
    • A witness, a watchman named Charles Perry, reported seeing two men entering the building at 12:30 A.M. and later discovered the theft.
    • The article notes that the collection, assembled by David G. Mitten, included Greek, Roman, and Byzantine coins from the 4th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D.
    • It also includes a photograph titled "Some of rare coins stolen from Harvard's Fogg Museum," showing three ancient coins.
    • The article concludes by stating that the Fogg Museum contains an eclectic collection including Renaissance paintings and that the university decided not to place a value on the coins until they were recovered, though the theft was considered "definitely in excess of $1 million."

The overall presentation is that of a news archive, capturing the initial shock, the hunt for the suspects, and the significant cultural and financial value of the stolen artifacts from this high-profile 1973 museum robbery.

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The image is a collage of newspaper clippings, likely from the early to mid-20th century, based on the style and format of the text. The clippings are arranged on a beige background, and they appear to be related to a significant theft of ancient coins from Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum.

The clippings are from various newspapers, including "The New York Times," "Pat Leonard," and "Charlestown Globe." The headlines and articles discuss the theft of ancient coins from Harvard University, with the total value of the stolen coins estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. The articles describe the theft as an "irreplaceable loss" and provide details about the stolen coins, which included Greek and Roman coins, some dating back to the third century BC.

The articles also mention the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the efforts to recover the stolen coins. There are references to a suspect who was later identified and apprehended, as well as the challenges faced by the museum in replacing the lost collection.

The clippings are arranged in a somewhat haphazard manner, with some overlapping and varying in size. The text is printed in black ink on white paper, with some clippings having a slightly yellowish tint, suggesting they may have been preserved for a considerable period. The overall impression is of a collection of news articles documenting a significant cultural and historical event, the theft of an invaluable collection of ancient coins from a prestigious institution.

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The image depicts a collection of newspaper clippings and articles focused on a significant theft of ancient coins from Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The clippings include headlines and excerpts from various newspapers, such as "Charlestown Man Hunted in Coin Heist," "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss'," and "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard." The articles provide details about the theft, the stolen items, and the ongoing investigations by the police and the FBI. The stolen coins are described as being worth an estimated $1 million, and the theft is characterized as an "irreplaceable loss." The clippings also include photographs of the stolen coins and the museum's collection, as well as quotes from museum officials and investigators.

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The image shows a collection of newspaper clippings or articles, likely from the 1970s, detailing a significant theft of rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. The layout includes three distinct sections, each presenting different perspectives or sources on the incident:

Top Left Section:

  • Headline: "Charlestown man hunted in coin heist"
  • Subheading: "By George Croft, Globe Staff"
  • Content: This article discusses the investigation into the theft, identifying a suspect named James Newpher, also known as "Mr. Ryan." It mentions that he is a Charlestown man and that he was seen wandering around the museum multiple times before the theft. The article also notes that the stolen coins, valued at over $5 million, were believed to have been taken by at least five men. It highlights the involvement of police and the FBI in the investigation.

Top Right Section:

  • Headline: "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss'"
  • Content: This article, attributed to the Cambridge News, emphasizes the significance of the stolen coins, describing them as "irreplaceable." It details the types of coins stolen, including Greek, Roman, and early Christian coins, some dating back to the 4th century B.C. The article quotes Harvard University officials, who express the profound loss to the museum's collection, noting that the coins are of immense historical and artistic value. It also mentions that the coins were stored in a safe within the museum.

Bottom Section:

  • Headline: "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard"
  • Source: The New York Times, dated Monday, December 3, 1973.
  • Content: This article provides a detailed account of the theft, including:
    • Value: The stolen coins were worth more than $1 million.
    • Location: The theft occurred at the Fogg Art Museum.
    • Method: The thief entered the museum through a display case, planted a package inside, and left the museum with the coins.
    • Details of the Theft: The thief was described as a man in his late 40s or early 50s, wearing a trench coat and a light blue shirt. He was seen carrying a shopping bag from a Boston Department Store.
    • Investigation: The article mentions that the theft was discovered by a watchman who noticed a discrepancy in the display case. The police and museum officials were involved in the investigation, and an inventory was conducted to determine the extent of the loss.

Visual Elements:

  • Photographs: The bottom section includes images of some of the stolen coins, showcasing their intricate designs and historical significance. These images emphasize the rarity and value of the items.
  • Layout: The articles are presented in a collage format, with headlines, subheadings, and body text clearly visible. The text is typed, and the overall appearance suggests it is a scanned or photographed collection of news clippings.

Overall Context:

The image captures a major cultural and historical event—the theft of a valuable coin collection from Harvard's Fogg Art Museum. The articles collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the incident, including the investigation, the suspect's identity, the methods used, and the impact on the museum and its collection. The inclusion of photographs of the stolen coins underscores the significance and irreplaceability of the loss.

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The image depicts a collection of newspaper clippings about a coin heist at Harvard University, featuring three articles with headlines and text. The articles are arranged on a brown paper background, with the top-left article titled "Charlestown man hunted in coin heist" and the top-right article titled "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss'". The bottom article is titled "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard".

The articles provide details about the theft, including the value of the stolen coins, the investigation, and the suspects involved. The overall tone of the articles is informative and objective, providing readers with an understanding of the events surrounding the coin heist.

The image appears to be a scanned copy of the newspaper clippings, with a gray background and a slight shadow effect around the edges. The text is clear and legible, making it easy to read and understand the content of the articles. Overall, the image provides a fascinating glimpse into a significant event in the history of Harvard University and the world of numismatics.

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The image depicts a page of newspaper clippings about a coin heist at Harvard University, dated December 3, 1973.

The page is composed of three newspaper clippings, each with a distinct headline and content. The top-left clipping, from the Boston Globe, reads "Charlestown man hunted in coin heist." The top-right clipping, from the Boston Globe, is titled "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss.'" The bottom clipping, from The New York Times, is titled "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard."

The clippings are arranged on a gray background, with two holes visible in the upper-right corner, suggesting that the page was once part of a binder or scrapbook. The overall appearance of the page is one of aged newsprint, with the clippings appearing yellowed and worn. The image provides a glimpse into a significant event in Harvard's history, highlighting the importance of preserving historical records and artifacts.

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The image displays a collection of newspaper clippings related to a theft at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum, mounted on a gray background.

The clippings are arranged in a collage style, with three articles visible. The first article, titled "Charlestown man hunted in coin heist," is positioned on the left side of the page. The second article, titled "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss,'" is situated above the third article, which is titled "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard." The third article features four images of coins below its title.

The clippings appear to be from different newspapers, as indicated by their varying fonts and layouts. The articles discuss the theft of ancient Greek and Roman coins from the Fogg Art Museum, with estimates suggesting that the stolen coins were worth between $1 million and $5 million. The articles also mention that the theft was believed to have been carried out by at least five men who entered the museum on Sunday, December 1, 1973, around 4:45 p.m.

The overall impression of the image is one of a carefully curated collection of news articles related to a significant event. The use of a gray background and the arrangement of the clippings in a collage style suggest that the image may be part of a larger archive or scrapbook.

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The image presents a collection of newspaper clippings related to a coin theft at Harvard University, arranged on a brown paper background.

  • The top-left clipping is titled "Charlestown man hunted in coin heist" and features an article about the theft of coins from Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The article mentions that police and the FBI are searching for a Charlestown man suspected of being involved in the theft.
    • The article states that the stolen coins include 5762 ancient Greek and Roman coins, valued at more than $5 million.
    • The theft is believed to have been carried out by at least five men who entered the museum around 12:45 a.m. on Sunday.
  • The top-right clipping is titled "Harvard Coins Theft 'Irreplaceable Loss'" and provides additional details about the theft.
    • The article mentions that the stolen coins include about 5000 loose coins from a Harvard class collection, valued at more than $2.5 million.
    • The coins are considered irreplaceable and are a fundamental part of the university's teaching resources.
  • The bottom clipping is titled "Million in Coins Stolen at Harvard" and appears to be from The New York Times.
    • The article provides a detailed account of the theft, including the fact that the thieves bound and blindfolded a single night watchman and made off with nearly 6,000 ancient coins.
    • The article also mentions that the university's authorities were alerted to the theft when the watchman escaped and called the police.

In summary, the image presents a collection of newspaper clippings that provide details about a significant coin theft at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The articles describe the stolen coins, the suspected perpetrators, and the investigation into the theft.