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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806516

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The image depicts a printed announcement from Harvard University's News Office. The document is dated December 3, 1973, and is titled "IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5:00 p.m." It reports on the theft of several thousand rare coins from Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The announcement details the assessment of the stolen coins by museum curators, the financial and academic impact of the theft, and the role of the coins in the museum's educational programs. The document emphasizes that the coins are not just valuable individually but as part of the collection. The lower part of the document has a note that says "-more-" indicating that more information might be available. The paper appears to be a standard typewritten document for official communications.

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The image shows a typed press release from Harvard University, dated December 3, 1973. The document is titled "IMMEDIATE RELEASE" and is addressed from the News Office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The content of the release discusses the theft of several thousand rare coins from Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum, which occurred the previous day.

The text explains the challenges faced by museum curators in evaluating the stolen coins, noting that each coin requires expert knowledge and that only a few qualified experts can accurately assess their monetary value due to fluctuations in the international coin market.

George M. A. Hanfmann, the John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology, is quoted as describing the theft as "a real tragedy" for teaching at the University. He emphasizes the integral role of the coins in the archaeology curriculum and their importance for ancient studies.

The release also mentions that although Harvard does not offer courses in numismatics, the Greek and Roman coins are used as primary source material on ancient life, especially for researchers in classical studies. David Gordon Mitten, Associate Curator of Ancient Art, explains that the coins provide insights into various fields such as economics, history, government, art, and metallurgy.

The document concludes by stating that the theft will adversely affect teaching activities and other Fogg activities, and that the stolen coins are valuable primarily as part of the larger collection rather than as individual coins. The release is marked with "-more-" at the bottom, indicating that there is additional content not shown in the image.

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This image shows an official press release from Harvard University, dated December 3, 1973, typed on white letterhead and mounted on a larger, light brown manila folder with two punch holes on the left side.

The letterhead identifies the institution as “HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 02138” and indicates it was issued by the “NEWS OFFICE.” It is marked “IMMEDIATE RELEASE” and dated “December 3, 1973, 5:00 p.m.”

The press release announces and details the aftermath of a major theft that occurred “yesterday” (December 2, 1973) from Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum, in which “several thousand rare coins” were stolen.

Key points from the text include:

  • Museum curators state that evaluating the stolen coins’ value will take an “indefinite period of study,” as each coin is unique and requires expert knowledge due to price fluctuations in the international coin market.
  • George M. A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology, called the theft “a real tragedy” for teaching at the University, noting the coins are integral to the archaeology curriculum.
  • Although Harvard offers no courses in numismatics, the Greek and Roman coins were used as primary source material for research in classical studies, shedding light on fields such as economics, history, government, art, and metallurgy.
  • David Gordon Mitten, Associate Curator of Ancient Art, emphasized the coins’ educational value.
  • The Fogg Art Museum has long served as a training ground for numismatic scholars and curators, and teaching activities will be adversely affected by the robbery.
  • Museum officials stressed that the stolen coins are valuable primarily as part of the larger collection, not as individual items.
  • The press release ends with the word “-more-,” indicating that it continues on a subsequent page.

The document is an example of archival material documenting a significant cultural loss and its impact on academic research and pedagogy at a major university. It captures the immediate institutional response to a high-profile theft of historical artifacts.

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The image shows a white paper with text printed on it. The paper is placed on top of a brown envelope. The paper is from the Harvard University News Office, dated December 3, 1973, and marked as an immediate release at 5:00 p.m. The text on the paper discusses the theft of several thousand rare coins from the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The museum's curators are assessing the effects of the theft, and the evaluation of the stolen coins will require an indefinite period of study due to the rarity and value of each coin. The coins are an integral part of the university's archaeology curriculum and are used in various fields of study, including economics, history, government, art, and metallurgy. The theft is considered a real tragedy for teaching at the university.

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The image shows a news release from Harvard University's News Office, dated December 3, 1973, regarding a theft at the university's Fogg Art Museum. The release discusses the impact of the theft, which involved several thousand rare coins, on the museum's operations and academic activities. It mentions that the evaluation of the stolen coins will require extensive study due to their unique monetary value and the need for expert knowledge. The release also highlights the importance of the coins for teaching and research at the university, as well as their role in various academic fields. The theft is described as a "real tragedy" by George M. A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology, and the museum's officials emphasize that the stolen coins are valuable primarily as part of the larger collection rather than as individual coins. The release concludes by stating that other Fogg activities will also be affected by the theft.

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The image shows a typed news release document from Harvard University's News Office, dated December 3, 1973, at 5:00 p.m. The document is titled "IMMEDIATE RELEASE" and is centered on a white sheet of paper affixed to a brown cardboard backing. The content of the release discusses the aftermath of a theft at the Fogg Art Museum, which is part of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Key Details from the Document:

  1. Context:

    • The theft involved several thousand rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum.
    • Museum officials are assessing the effects of the theft.
  2. Evaluation Process:

    • Evaluating the stolen coins will require an indefinite period due to the unique nature of each coin and the need for expert knowledge of prices.
    • Price fluctuations in the international coin market make accurate valuation challenging.
  3. Impact on Teaching and Research:

    • George M. A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology, describes the theft as a "real tragedy" for teaching at the university.
    • The coins are integral to the archaeology curriculum and serve as primary source material for researchers in classical studies, particularly in fields such as economics, history, government, art, and metallurgy.
    • Although Harvard does not offer courses in numismatics, the Greek and Roman coins are frequently used in teaching and research.
  4. Role of the Fogg Museum:

    • The Fogg has historically served as a training ground for numismatic scholars and curators.
    • The theft will adversely affect teaching activities in numismatic areas.
    • The stolen coins are valued primarily as part of the larger collection rather than as individual items.
  5. Additional Effects:

    • Other activities at the Fogg will also be affected, though the document indicates that further details will follow periodically.

Visual Characteristics:

  • Paper and Mounting:

    • The document is printed on white paper and mounted on a brown cardboard backing.
    • There are two visible holes on the left side of the cardboard, likely for filing or organizational purposes.
    • The edges of the paper are slightly trimmed, suggesting it may have been part of an archive or filing system.
  • Typography:

    • The text is typed in a standard monospaced font, typical of mid-20th-century office printing.
    • The header includes the Harvard University logo and the location (Cambridge, Mass. 02138).

Overall Impression:

The document serves as an official communication regarding a significant theft at a prestigious academic institution, highlighting the cultural, educational, and research implications of the loss. The formal tone and structured layout reflect the seriousness of the situation and the university's efforts to inform stakeholders about the ongoing assessment and impact.

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The image depicts a scanned document featuring a typed letter from the Harvard University News Office, dated December 3, 1973, at 5:00 p.m. The letter is addressed to the News Office and discusses the theft of several thousand rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum. The letter highlights the museum's efforts to assess the effects of the theft and emphasizes the importance of the coins in the museum's archaeological curriculum. It also mentions that the coins are an integral part of the museum's collection and that teaching activities in such areas will be adversely affected due to the robbery. The letter concludes by stating that other Fogg activities will be affected as well, periodically, various.

The document is typed on white paper with black ink and is attached to a brown paper backing, which appears to be a hole-punched sheet. The background of the image is a gray surface, suggesting that the document was scanned and placed on a table or other flat surface. Overall, the image provides a clear and concise view of the typed letter, allowing the viewer to easily read and understand the content.

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The image presents a scanned document from Harvard University, dated December 3, 1973. The document is titled "HARVARD UNIVERSITY" and features the address "CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 02138" below it.

Document Content

The document contains a press release regarding the theft of several thousand rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. The release states that museum curators will require an indefinite period of study to evaluate the stolen coins, as each coin is a different case requiring expert knowledge of prices. Only a few qualified experts can accurately assess the monetary value of the coins due to price fluctuations on the international coin market.

Quotes and Statements

The document includes quotes from George M.A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology, who termed the theft "a real tragedy" for teaching at the University. It also mentions that the coins are an integral part of the archaeology curriculum and are basic to many ancient studies.

Additional Information

The document notes that although Harvard offers no courses in numismatics, the Greek and Roman coins found constant use as primary source material on ancient life, particularly for researchers in classical studies. According to David Gordon Mitten, Associate Curator of Ancient Art, the coins shed light on such diverse fields as economics, history, government, art, and metallurgy.

Conclusion

The document concludes by stating that for many years, the Fogg has served as a training ground for numismatic scholars and curators. Teaching activities in such areas will be adversely affected because of the robbery. Museum officials emphasized that the stolen coins are valuable principally as part of the larger collection and not as individual coins. Other Fogg activities will be affected as well. Periodically, various -more-

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The image presents a typed document on a white sheet of paper, placed within a brown folder. The document is dated December 3, 1973, and is identified as an "IMMEDIATE RELEASE" from Harvard University's News Office.

Document Details:

  • Date: December 3, 1973
  • Time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Issued by: Harvard University's News Office

Content:

The document discusses the theft of several thousand rare coins from Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. Museum officials are assessing the effects of the theft and evaluating the stolen coins, which require an indefinite period of study due to their unique characteristics and varying prices.

Key Points:

  • The theft is considered "a real tragedy" by George M. A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology.
  • The coins are an integral part of the university's archaeology curriculum and are used as primary source material for research in classical studies.
  • The Fogg has served as a training ground for numismatic scholars and curators.
  • Teaching activities will be adversely affected by the robbery.

Visual Description:

  • The document is typed on a white sheet of paper.
  • The paper is placed within a brown folder with three holes punched along the left side.
  • The background of the image is a plain gray color.

Overall, the image appears to be a scanned or photographed copy of a historical document related to a significant event at Harvard University.

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The image shows a photocopy of a typed document on Harvard University letterhead, dated December 3, 1973, and labeled "IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5:00 p.m." The document is printed on white paper with black text and has a few minor stains.

Document Details:

  • Header:

    • "HARVARD UNIVERSITY"
    • "CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 02138"
  • Date and Time:

    • "December 3, 1973"
    • "IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5:00 p.m."
  • Recipient:

    • "News Offices"
  • Content:
    The document discusses the theft of several thousand rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.
    Officials are assessing the effects of the theft, which is described as "a real tragedy" by George M.A. Hanfmann, John E. Hudson Professor of Archaeology.
    The coins are valuable for their role in teaching and research, particularly in classical studies, economics, history, government, art, and metallurgy.

Physical Description:

  • The document is placed on a brown paper background.
  • There are two holes punched in the left margin of the paper, suggesting that it was once part of a binder.
  • The overall appearance suggests that this is a photocopy of an original document, possibly from an archive or library collection.