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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806529

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The image displays a vintage newspaper clipping titled "Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft" from the Boston Herald American dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973, page 22. The article discusses a significant coin theft that occurred at Harvard's Fogg Museum, involving the theft of a large collection of ancient Greek and Roman coins. The text details the magnitude of the theft, stating that over 6,000 coins were taken, with over half owned by the museum. The article also mentions the involvement of various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Interpol, as well as the description of a suspect named "Mr. Ryan."

In the article, there is a box titled "How Bandits May Profit From Coin Loot," which lists potential methods the thieves might use to profit from the stolen coins, such as melting them down, selling them in small lots, or ransom them back to the university or individuals. The clipping is mounted on a piece of cardboard and appears to be part of a collection or archive, given the hole punch at the top corners, indicating it may have been part of a bulletin board or file.

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This image is a scanned newspaper clipping from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973. The article is titled "Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft" and discusses a significant theft of coins from the Fogg Museum at Harvard University.

Key Points from the Article:

  1. Details of the Theft:

    • The theft involved nearly 6,000 coins, including Greek and Roman gold, bronze, and silver coins.
    • The coins ranged from the 7th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D.
    • The value of the theft was not yet determined but was described as a very sophisticated and professional job.
  2. Security Measures and Response:

    • The director of the Fogg Museum, Daniel Robbins, stated that more than half of the stolen coins were owned by the museum and were not insured.
    • The FBI contacted the international police force Interpol, theorizing that the robbers had fled to Europe with the loot.
    • Rigid security was ordered at the museum, and the FBI was involved in the investigation.
  3. Suspected Mastermind:

    • A man referred to as "Mr. Ryan" was believed to be the mastermind of the robbery.
    • He was described as being about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with brown wavy hair and wearing a beige trench coat.
    • He gained entrance to the museum after midnight, telling the night watchman that he was "picking up a package."
  4. Possible Motives and Outcomes:

    • The article discusses various ways the bandits might profit from the coin loot, including selling the coins to collectors, ransoming them back to the university, or melting them down for their metal value.
    • There was speculation about the coins' use in research, history, and government classes at the university.
  5. Images of Coins:

    • The lower left corner of the clipping includes six small images of ancient coins, presumably examples of the type of coins stolen.

Layout:

  • The clipping is mounted on a brown cardboard backing with two punch holes at the top, suggesting it might be part of a scrapbook or archive.
  • The article is formatted in typical newspaper style with columns of text and a headline that spans the width of the page.

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This image shows a single newspaper clipping mounted on a piece of tan or light brown paper, which has two small, punched holes near the top edge, suggesting it was once stored in a binder or folder.

The clipping is from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973, and appears on page 22. The headline, in a large, bold, sans-serif font, reads:

Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft

This indicates the article covers a major theft of coins from a museum, with the primary suspect being a man from Charlestown, Massachusetts.

The article details a robbery at Harvard’s Fogg Museum, where nearly 600 rare, privately owned Greek and Roman gold, bronze, and silver coins were stolen from a display case. The coins were estimated to be worth around one million dollars and were not insured. The story identifies the suspect as "Mr. Ryan," described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with brown wavy hair, wearing a beige trench coat, and brandishing an automatic pistol. He is also suspected of having been seen around the museum in the weeks prior. He reportedly forced a watchman, Charles Pearson, into a back room and tied him up before stealing the coins.

The article notes that the FBI was involved and that police were issuing a worldwide bulletin with the suspect’s composite photo. It also mentions that the coins were loaned to the museum for exhibition and that their owners were not insured. A key concern raised by investigators is that the coins might be sold to art collectors who are “hungry” to increase their status, as the pieces are rare and easily sold without being identified.

The clipping also includes a box with a sub-headline:

How Bandits May Profit From Coin Loot

This section, illustrated with six detailed black-and-white images of various ancient coins, lists the different ways thieves might try to profit from the stolen loot:

  • Melting the coins down into gold or silver (though this is unlikely due to diminishing value).
  • Selling the coins individually or in small batches to art collectors.
  • Selling the entire cache to a single collector for gratification.
  • Selling the coins as a “bunch” for 10 to 15 cents on the dollar.
  • Ransoming the coins back to the individuals who loaned them.
  • Selling the insured pieces to the insurance companies with known go-betweens.

The clipping concludes with a note that the coins were used for research and history in the dark-colored Thunderbird at the university, and that investigators believe the coins were not removed from the museum after the theft.

Overall, the clipping is a well-preserved, informative piece of historical journalism documenting a high-profile art and artifact theft during the 1970s. The mounting on tan paper and the punched holes suggest it was archived, possibly by a researcher, journalist, or someone with a personal interest in the case.

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A newspaper clipping is placed on a beige background. The clipping is from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973. The headline reads, "Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft." The article discusses a significant coin theft that occurred at the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. The stolen coins, valued at around $22 million, were made of gold, silver, and bronze and originated from various ancient civilizations. The article mentions that the coins were insured, but the insurance company was not disclosed.

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Description of the Image

The image is a scanned newspaper clipping from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973. The headline prominently reads:
"Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft."

Main Article Content:

The article details a significant coin theft that occurred at the Fogg Art Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Key points from the article include:

  1. The Theft:

    • Nearly more than half of the nearly 6000 stolen coins were owned by the museum itself.
    • The stolen coins were valued at $250,000 at the time of the theft.
    • The coins included artifacts from Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods, dating back to the 7th century B.C.
  2. The Mastermind:

    • A man named Daniel Robbins, described as a Charlestown resident, is believed to be the mastermind behind the theft.
    • Robbins was a former employee of the Fogg Museum and had intimate knowledge of the museum's layout and security systems.
    • He was arrested and charged with the theft, having fled to Europe after the robbery.
  3. The Robbery:

    • The theft occurred in the early morning hours when the museum was closed to the public.
    • Thieves used a pistol to force a watchman into a back room, tied him up, and escaped with the coins.
    • The thieves entered through a basement window, took the coins from display cases, and left the museum without triggering alarms.
  4. The Investigation:

    • FBI cooperation was involved in tracking down the thieves.
    • The Harvard University Police and local authorities were also involved in the investigation.
    • Charles Daly, the museum's director, confirmed that the thieves had masterminded the robbery with precision.
  5. The Coins:

    • The stolen coins were highly valuable, with some being private collections from around the world.
    • The coins were not insured, which raised questions about the museum's security measures.

Sidebar: "How Bandits May Profit From Coin Loot"

The article includes a sidebar titled "How Bandits May Profit From Coin Loot," which outlines seven ways thieves could profit from the stolen coins:

  1. Melt the coins down into gold and silver.
  2. Sell the coins in small lots or one at a time.
  3. Sell the entire lot to an art collector.
  4. Sell the coins back to the university.
  5. Sell the coins to individuals who looted the pieces from the museum.
  6. Sell the insured pieces to the insurance companies.
  7. Sell the coins to known art collectors.

The sidebar emphasizes that some collectors might be willing to pay a premium for rare or historically significant coins, even if it means increasing their status symbol.

Visual Elements:

  • Photographs of Coins:
    The article includes six images of ancient coins, showcasing the types of artifacts stolen. These coins appear to be from various historical periods, including Greek, Roman, and Byzantine designs, with intricate engravings and inscriptions.

  • Layout:
    The article is formatted in a classic newspaper style, with a bold headline, subheadings, and columns of text. The sidebar is placed below the main article, providing additional context.

Contextual Details:

  • The article highlights the complexity of the theft, noting that the thieves had to navigate the museum's security systems and avoid detection.
  • It also touches on the ethical and legal implications of the theft, mentioning that some collectors might be willing to buy stolen coins, which could complicate law enforcement efforts.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a historical news story about a high-profile coin theft, emphasizing the sophistication of the crime, the value of the stolen artifacts, and the potential methods thieves might use to profit from such a heist. The inclusion of coin images adds visual interest and underscores the significance of the stolen items. The article reflects the 1970s media style, with detailed reporting and a focus on investigative journalism.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973, with the headline "Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft." The article discusses a significant coin theft at the Fogg Museum, where over 6000 coins were stolen. The thief, identified as Daniel Robbins, is believed to have been the mastermind behind the heist. The article also mentions that the stolen coins are valued at more than half a million dollars and are made of gold, silver, bronze, and Roman gold. The clipping is displayed on a piece of brown paper, which appears to be a scrapbook page or a display board. The background of the image is a light gray color.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973. The article is titled "Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft" and features a subheading that reads "How Bandits May Profit From Coin Loot."

The article discusses a significant coin heist that occurred at the Fogg Museum, where thieves stole nearly 900 coins valued at over half a million dollars. The main suspect, identified as Mr. Ryan, was believed to have masterminded the robbery. The article also includes a section on how the stolen coins could be sold for profit, with suggestions such as melting them down into gold and silver or selling them to art collectors who would smash them away for their gratification.

The clipping is attached to a brown paper background, which has two holes punched at the top. The overall appearance of the image suggests that it may have been part of a larger collection or archive related to the coin theft or the Fogg Museum.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973. The headline reads "Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft."

  • The article is divided into two sections:
    • The main section discusses a significant coin theft, with a subheading that continues from page one.
    • A smaller inset section titled "How Bandits May Profit From Coin Loot" provides additional information on the potential ways thieves might benefit from the stolen coins.
  • The clipping is attached to a brown paper backing with two holes punched at the top, suggesting it was once part of a larger collection or file.
  • The overall appearance of the clipping and its mounting on the brown paper suggests that it has been preserved for archival or research purposes.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, yellowed with age, affixed to a brown paper background using two silver staples. The clipping is from the Boston Herald American, dated Tuesday, December 4, 1973.

Newspaper Clipping Details:

  • Headline: "Charlestown Man Believed Mastermind in Huge Coin Theft"
  • Content: The article discusses a significant coin theft, with the suspect believed to be a Charlestown man.
  • Subheading: "How Bandits May Profit From Coin Loot"

Visual Elements:

  • A small inset image featuring six coins
  • A caption below the inset image

Background:

  • The brown paper background provides a neutral setting for the newspaper clipping.

Overall Impression:

The image appears to be a historical document or archival material, possibly used for research or educational purposes.