Archives Scrapbooks

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V. Rinse, repeat.

Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806528

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-7B-Instruct

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Boston Globe dated December 3, 1973. The headline reads: "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum." The clipping details a robbery that occurred at the Fogg Art Museum, where a group of counterfeiters stole valuable Greek and Roman coins. The story provides details about the robbery, including the time, the method of the robbery, and the estimated value of the stolen coins. The article also mentions that the museum had suffered a previous coin robbery in April 1973. The clipping is mounted on a piece of brown paper.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct

This image is a photograph of a newspaper clipping from the Boston Globe, dated December 3, 1973. The headline reads, "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum." The article details a robbery that occurred at the Fogg Art Museum, where a significant collection of ancient coins was stolen. The text describes the events of the robbery, including the method used by the robbers, the response of the watchman, and the subsequent investigation by the FBI and local police. The article also mentions the value of the coins and the potential consequences for the museum and the field of numismatics. The clipping is mounted on a brown paper background with two holes punched on the right side, suggesting it was part of a binder or folder.

Qwen, qwen.qwen3-vl-235b-a22b

This image displays a newspaper clipping mounted on a piece of aged, tan-colored cardboard or file folder, which has two visible punch holes along its right edge. The clipping is from the Boston Globe, dated December 3, 1973, as handwritten in red ink at the top of the article.

Headline:

Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum

Main Content:

The article reports on a major robbery at Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum, where thieves stole an estimated $2 million worth of ancient Greek and Roman coins.

Key details from the article:

  • The Robbery: It occurred on Saturday afternoon, December 1, 1973. A man identifying himself as “Mr. Ryan” gained entry to the museum by pretending to pick up a package. He was followed by four other men who allegedly forced open the coin room and loaded the coins into boxes.
  • Victim & Witness: Watchman Charles Pearson reported the robbery. The robbers had been watching the museum, as indicated by activity the previous afternoon.
  • Police Investigation: Twelve FBI agents and local police were investigating. They identified the suspects as arriving in two cars—a 1964 Buick and a dark Thunderbird—parked near a side entrance. A suspect named “Mr. Ryan” was central to the investigation.
  • Museum Official Response: Susannah Doeringer (assistant director) and George Hartmann (curator) confirmed that over 5,000 coins were stolen. Many were “irreplaceable,” acquired through long-term loans and vital for study and research. The loss was described as a “tragic loss for scholarship.”
  • Value & Disposal: The coins ranged from 700 BC to 400 AD and were extremely valuable to collectors. Experts said they could be melted down for bullion, sold in foreign countries, or kept by private collectors. Police warned that selling the coins would likely result in arrest.
  • Historical Context: This was the second major coin robbery at the Fogg Museum in two years; a 1972 robbery had involved Russian and U.S. coins, with some recovered.

Additional Notation:

At the bottom of the article, a note indicates: “Jeremiah Murphy’s column appears today — P._ 90”, suggesting this was page 90 of the newspaper’s arts or culture section.

Physical Appearance:

The clipping is slightly yellowed, consistent with its age. It is affixed to a larger piece of tan cardstock, which appears to be part of a file or scrapbook. The handwritten date in red ink (“BOSTON GLOBE 12/3/73”) adds a personal archival touch.

Summary:

This is a historical clipping documenting a high-profile art heist at a prestigious American university museum, highlighting not just the monetary value of the stolen artifacts, but their irreplaceable cultural and scholarly significance. The tone reflects the urgency and gravity of the crime as perceived by authorities and museum officials at the time.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Boston Globe dated 1973. The headline reads "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum." The article reports a theft of valuable Greek and Roman coins from the Fogg Art Museum. The robbers, described as "Mr. Ryan" and an accomplice, stole the coins by tricking the watchman into opening the safe. The stolen coins ranged from 700 BC to 400 AD and were worth millions. The article includes details of the robbery, the investigation, and the potential impact on the museum's collection. The clipping is attached to a larger piece of paper, possibly for archival purposes.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image shows a clipping from the Boston Globe, dated July 13, 1973, featuring a headline about a theft at the Fogg Art Museum. The article discusses the theft of Greek and Roman coins worth millions, which were taken during a holdup at the museum. The museum's curator, Susan Doerflinger, and George Mann, curator of the coin collection, are mentioned as having been taken hostage during the robbery. The coins, which range from 700 to 400 AD, are described as irreplaceable for scholarly research and teaching. The article also mentions that the coins could be melted down for sale in small lots, sold to foreign collectors, or kept in private collections. The FBI is investigating the incident, and the coins are considered a significant loss for the museum.

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

The image is a scanned newspaper clipping from the Boston Globe dated December 12, 1973. The headline reads: "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum." The article details a significant robbery at the Fogg Art Museum, where a large collection of ancient Greek and Roman coins, valued in the millions, was stolen.

Key Details from the Article:

  1. The Robbery:

    • Two men entered the Fogg Art Museum on Saturday afternoon and stole coins from display cases.
    • The suspects were described as one man in a dark-colored coat and another in a light-colored coat.
    • The robbery occurred around 12:45 PM, and the suspects fled in two cars, a 1985 gold Buick and a dark-colored circular driveway off Broadway Street.
  2. The Stolen Coins:

    • The stolen coins included duplicates of many coins from around the world, but some were originals brought together for study purposes.
    • The coins ranged in value from $700 to $400,000, with some being part of the teaching collection of the Fogg Art Museum.
    • The coins were described as having "great amount of money" and could bring "a great amount of money" if sold separately.
  3. Investigation:

    • The FBI, Cambridge police, and Harvard University police were investigating the robbery.
    • The suspects were identified as Charles Pearson and another man, who was later identified as "Ryan."
    • Ryan was described as having a small caliber chrome-plated 9mm pistol, which he used to threaten museum staff.
  4. Museum Response:

    • The museum's assistant director, George Hanf, stated that the stolen coins were part of the museum's teaching collection and had minimal monetary value to the institution.
    • The museum curator, Susan Doeringer, confirmed that the stolen coins were part of the museum's collection.
  5. Security Measures:

    • The museum had security cameras, but they were not sufficient to capture the robbery.
    • The museum had a watchman on duty, but he was not present during the robbery.
  6. Impact:

    • The loss of the coins was considered a tragic loss for scholarship and research, as they were valuable for academic study and teaching.
    • The coins were described as being in high demand among collectors, with some being sold for millions.
  7. Additional Context:

    • The article mentions that the robbery was the second major theft at the Fogg Art Museum in recent years, referencing a previous robbery in April.
    • The suspects were later arrested and charged with the theft.

The article provides a detailed account of the robbery, the investigation, and the impact on the museum and the academic community. It also highlights the value and significance of the stolen coins in the world of art and numismatics.

Meta, us.meta.llama3-2-11b-instruct-v1:0

The image presents a newspaper clipping, titled "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum," which reports on a robbery at the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The article is dated 1973 and includes details about the stolen coins, the investigation, and the police's efforts to recover the stolen items.

  • Newspaper Clipping:
    • The clipping is from the Boston Globe, dated 1973.
    • It reports on a robbery at the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum.
    • The title of the article is "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum."
  • Article Content:
    • The article describes the robbery, which occurred on April 5, 1973.
    • Five men, armed with guns, entered the museum and stole a large number of coins.
    • The coins were worth millions of dollars and included ancient Greek and Roman coins.
    • The police are investigating the robbery and have released a description of the suspects.
    • The museum's director, Suzannah Doeringer, is quoted in the article, expressing her disappointment and frustration at the theft.
  • Investigation:
    • The police are working to identify the suspects and recover the stolen coins.
    • They have released a description of the suspects and are asking for the public's help in identifying them.
    • The investigation is ongoing, and the police are following up on several leads.
  • Recovery:
    • The police are working to recover the stolen coins and return them to the museum.
    • They are also investigating the possibility of an inside job, as some of the coins were stored in a secure location.
    • The recovery of the coins is a top priority for the police, and they are doing everything they can to ensure their safe return.

In summary, the image shows a newspaper clipping about a robbery at the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum, where five men stole a large number of coins worth millions of dollars. The police are investigating the robbery and working to recover the stolen coins. The article provides details about the robbery, the investigation, and the recovery efforts.

Meta, us.meta.llama4-maverick-17b-instruct-v1:0

The image presents a newspaper clipping on a brown paper background, featuring an article about a theft at the Fogg Art Museum. The clipping is titled "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum" and includes a date stamp of "Boston Globe 12/3/73" in red ink at the top.

Key Details:

  • Newspaper Clipping: The clipping is the main focus of the image, with a clear headline and article text.
  • Date Stamp: The date stamp "Boston Globe 12/3/73" is visible in red ink at the top of the clipping.
  • Brown Paper Background: The clipping is placed on a brown paper background, which appears to be a file folder or scrapbook page.
  • Holes: Three holes are punched along the right edge of the paper, suggesting that it was once part of a binder or folder.
  • Gray Background: The entire image is set against a gray background, providing a neutral contrast to the brown paper and newspaper clipping.

Article Summary:

The article reports on the theft of Greek and Roman coins from the Fogg Art Museum, valued at millions of dollars. The robbery occurred on December 2, 1973, and involved a group of men who entered the museum and stole the coins. The article provides details about the theft, including the number of coins stolen and the suspects involved.

Overall:

The image presents a historical newspaper clipping on a brown paper background, providing a glimpse into a significant event in the art world. The clipping is well-preserved and easy to read, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the history of the Fogg Art Museum and the theft of the Greek and Roman coins.

Meta, us.meta.llama4-scout-17b-instruct-v1:0

The image presents a scanned newspaper clipping, yellowed with age, featuring an article about a theft at the Fogg Art Museum. The clipping is mounted on a brown paper backing, which has two holes punched along its right edge.

  • Newspaper Clipping
    • Title: "Greek, Roman coins worth millions taken in holdup at Fogg Art Museum"
    • Date: December 3, 1973 (written in red ink at the top)
    • Content: The article reports on the theft of Greek and Roman coins from the Fogg Art Museum, with a value of millions of dollars.
    • Details:
      • The theft occurred on December 2, 1973
      • Four men were involved in the theft
      • The coins were taken from a display case in the museum's basement
      • The stolen coins included a 1965 gold Buck and a 1936 gold $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
      • The museum's collection included over 5,000 priceless coins
      • The police were investigating the theft and had received several leads
  • Brown Paper Backing
    • Color: Brown
    • Texture: Smooth
    • Holes: Two holes punched along the right edge
  • Background
    • Color: Gray

In summary, the image shows a scanned newspaper clipping about a theft at the Fogg Art Museum, mounted on a brown paper backing with two holes punched along its right edge, set against a gray background.

Meta, us.meta.llama3-2-90b-instruct-v1:0

The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Boston Globe, dated December 3, 1973. The article reports on a significant theft at the Fogg Art Museum, where Greek and Roman coins valued at millions of dollars were stolen.

Key Points:

  • Theft: The article describes the theft of Greek and Roman coins from the Fogg Art Museum.
  • Value: The stolen coins are estimated to be worth millions of dollars.
  • Date: The article is dated December 3, 1973, indicating when the theft occurred.
  • Newspaper: The clipping is from the Boston Globe, a well-known newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts.

Overall, the image provides information about a notable theft at the Fogg Art Museum, highlighting the significance of the stolen items and the date of the incident.