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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806535

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The image shows a newsletter clipping attached to a brown folder. The newsletter, titled "Fogg Newsletter Vol. 6, No. 1," reports on the theft of rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum's collection. Here are the key details from the article:

  1. Theft Incident: Early on December 2, the entire Fogg coin collection was stolen from the Harvard Art Museums. The theft was discovered by the night watchman.

  2. Coin Collection: The collection consisted of approximately 6,000 coins, primarily bronze and silver, spanning from the 7th century B.C. to 450 A.D. It also included around 800 American coins, part of the Harvard Numismatic Collection, bringing the total number of stolen coins to nearly six thousand.

  3. Value and Significance: The coins were used for teaching and research, particularly in the study of ancient history, religion, and archaeology. The collection was considered irreplaceable due to its historical and educational value.

  4. Department Statement: David Gordon Mitten, Associate Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology, emphasized the coins' value for study and teaching, highlighting their significance in various academic disciplines.

  5. History of the Collection: The Fogg Museum's coin collection was established in 1948-49 and had been housed in the Harvard College Library since the museum's temporary closure in 1983.

The article also mentions that the FBI was notified, and the coins have been reported to the Art Loss Register and Interpol. The newsletter expresses hope that the coins will be recovered and urges anyone with information to come forward. It concludes by stating that if the coins are not returned, the loss to scholarship will be irretrievable.

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The image is of a newsletter from the Fogg Museum, dated February 1974 (Volume 18, No. 1). The main headline reads "RARE COINS ARE STOLEN," detailing the theft of a significant portion of the Fogg Museum's coin collection.

Here are the key points from the newsletter:

  1. Theft Details:

    • The theft occurred early in the morning of December 2, 1973.
    • A large part of the Fogg Museum's coin collection was stolen by a group of armed robbers who held up the night watchman.
  2. Investigation Status:

    • The investigation by Cambridge police and the FBI is ongoing.
    • As of the newsletter's publication, none of the stolen coins have been recovered.
    • Coin dealers and prominent numismatists worldwide have been alerted about the theft.
  3. Collection Details:

    • The stolen coins were primarily Greek and Roman, made of bronze and silver, with a few gold coins dating from 700 B.C. to 600 A.D.
    • Approximately 6,000 coins were part of the Harvard College Coin Collection, with around 4,000 coins taken, nearly six thousand in total.
  4. Educational and Research Impact:

    • The coins were a valuable resource for teaching and research, frequently used by students and professors.
    • The theft is a significant loss for academic and research communities.
  5. Background and Collection Expansion:

    • The Fogg Museum’s Classics Department had been expanding its coin collection.
    • The collection, which started with a bequest in 1948-49, included important acquisitions over the years.
  6. Quote from Museum Official:

    • David Gordon Mitten, Associate Curator of Classical Art and Archaeology, expressed the irreplaceable nature of the stolen coins.

The newsletter includes images of three ancient coins, specifically silver Sicilian coins from the 5th century B.C. (obverse sides portrayed).

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The image shows a news clipping from a Fog Newsletter dated February 1974 (Volume 1, Number 1). The headline reads "Rare Coins Are Stolen," detailing the theft of the Fog Museum's coin collection.

Key points from the article include:

  1. Theft Details:

    • On December 2, armed robbers stole virtually the entire Fog coin collection, which was under the watch of the night watchman.
    • The theft was discovered early the next morning.
    • The investigation is being conducted by Cambridge police and the FBI, with a reward offered for information leading to the recovery of the coins.
  2. Coin Collection:

    • The collection consisted primarily of Greek and Roman coins, mostly bronze and silver, ranging from 700 B.C. to 400 A.D.
    • There were also some gold coins from the same period.
    • A significant portion of the collection came from the Harvard College Coin Collection, with the total number of coins stolen estimated at nearly six thousand.
  3. Significance:

    • The coins were considered a fundamental teaching resource in the Classics Department.
    • They provided essential data on various aspects of Graeco-Roman civilization, including trade, politics, and history.
    • The collection was frequently used by students and professors in multiple disciplines.
    • The value of the coins lies not only in their monetary worth but also in their irreplaceable historical and educational significance.
  4. Background:

    • The Fog Museum was established in 1948 and incorporated several important coin collections, including one from the Harvard College Library since the 17th century.

The article highlights the importance of the stolen coins to scholarship and the irreparable loss to the academic community.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping from a "Fogg Newsletter" dated February 1974 (Volume 1, Number 1). The headline reads "RARE COINS ARE STOLEN," indicating that the entire Fogg coin collection was stolen during the night of December 2 by armed robbers.

The article details the theft and the subsequent investigation, which involved Cambridge police and the FBI. The full-scale investigation is ongoing, and it's stated that the coins have not been recovered.

The Fogg's collection primarily consisted of Greek and Roman coins, with a few gold coins dating from 700 B.C. to 400 A.D. and some early Chinese coins. A significant portion of the Harvard College Coin Collection was also taken, making the total number of missing coins nearly six thousand.

The article mentions the importance of the collection as a "fundamental teaching resource," highlighting the contributions of David Gordon Mitten, an associate curator and professor. The coins were used extensively in various disciplines for studying historical, political, and economic aspects of Greco-Roman civilization.

The Fogg Museum had been the custodian of the coins since 1948, with the collection expanding significantly over the years and its value increasing substantially.

The clipping also includes images of some of the stolen coins, specifically three Severan Stadii coins from the Fogg collection.

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The image shows a clipping from a newsletter titled "Fog Newsletter," dated February 1974 (Vol. 1, No. 1). The main focus of the article is the theft of rare coins from the Fogg Museum.

Key points from the article include:

  1. The Theft: On December 2, early in the morning, a significant portion of the Fogg Museum's coin collection was stolen by a band of armed robbers. The theft was extensive, with nearly six thousand coins missing.

  2. Investigation: A full-scale investigation by Cambridge police and the Cambridge Rape Crisis Center is underway to recover the coins. The museum has received assistance from coin dealers and prominent numismatists worldwide who are actively cooperating in the search.

  3. Nature of the Collection: The majority of the coins are Greek and Roman, primarily bronze and silver, with a few gold coins ranging from 700 B.C. to 400 A.D. Some coins are from the Harvard College Coin Collection.

  4. Significance of the Collection: The collection holds immense value and is a critical resource for teaching and research. David Gordon Mitten, Associate Curator of Classical Art and Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology, emphasizes that the coins are irreplaceable and vital for educational purposes.

  5. Historical Context: The coins provide factual data on various aspects of Greco-Roman civilizations, including history, economics, politics, and art. They have been used extensively by students and professors in numerous disciplines.

  6. Impact of the Theft: The loss of the coins has significant implications for scholarship. The coins' value has increased over the years, and their loss would be incalculable.

Additionally, there are images of some of the stolen coins included in the clipping, showing the reverse sides of the coins.

The Fogg Museum's Classics Department is mentioned, highlighting the importance of the coin collection in their studies and research.

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The image displays a newspaper clipping titled "Fogg Newsletter, Feb. 1974 (Vol. 1) No. 1" with the headline "RARE COINS ARE STOLEN." The article reports that a significant portion of the Fogg coin collection, primarily consisting of Greek and Roman coins, was stolen during an armed robbery on December 2. The theft is described as a devastating loss for scholarship, as the collection included rare and irreplaceable pieces. The article also mentions that the collection has been expanded over the years and was frequently used by students and professors for research. The clipping includes images of three stolen coins, and a note indicating that the coins are from the Fogg Museum. The article emphasizes the importance of the coins for the study of Greek and Roman civilization and expresses hope that they will be recovered.

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The image shows a page mounted on a brown surface or background. At the top of the page, there is a label or heading that reads "From Newsletter (Vol. IV, No.1)", followed by a note in handwritten cursive that appears to say "Exp. 1974 (Vol IV No.1)". Below this heading, there are two circular images (possibly photographs of coins) with captions that are too small to read clearly.

The main body of the page consists of a column of text with the bolded headline "RARE COINS ARE STOLEN." The article discusses an incident where coins from a collection were stolen by a night watchman, as indicated by the brief glance at the content. It mentions the involvement of the FBI and that the coin collection was extensive, spanning Greek and Roman coins, primarily bronze and silver, dating from approximately 700 B.C. to 400 A.D. The text also refers to the Fogg's numismatic collection and details the coins' importance as teaching resources and their role in research at Harvard University.

The bottom of the page includes another section of text that references the Harvard College Library and the significance of the stolen items, indicating the collection's connection to educational and cultural heritage. The exact content and context of the article are not fully visible due to the limited resolution and the size of the text in the image.

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The image shows a scrap of newspaper or printed material glued or taped onto a square piece of brown paper or cardboard with two punched holes on the left side, suggesting it might have been part of a binder or collection. The inserted text is titled "RARE COINS ARE STOLEN" and discusses a theft of the Fogg coin collection that occurred early on December 2. It mentions that the entire Fogg coin collection was stolen by armed robbers with the night watchman held up. A full-scale investigation is underway by Cambridge police and the FBI. Despite the ongoing investigation, the coins have not been recovered. The theft has been reported to coin dealers and numismatists worldwide.

The text emphasizes the importance of the lost collection, noting it mainly consists of Greek and Roman coins, primarily bronze and silver, some dating from 700 B.C. to 400 A.D., plus 800 American coins from the Harvard College Coin Collection, totaling nearly six thousand coins.

Additionally, it highlights the collection’s value for teaching and research, including insights into religion, economics, and politics of Greco-Roman civilization. David Gordon Mitten, Associate Curator of Ancient Art and Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology, is quoted stressing the irreplaceability of this collection.

Above the text are three images of coins (silver Sicilian coins) showing different designs, possibly to illustrate the type of rare coins stolen. At the top of the clipping, handwritten in red ink is: "Fogg Newsletter Feb. 1974 (Vol 1 No.1)."

The overall tone of the article conveys the significant loss to scholarship and the academic community caused by the theft of these valuable coins.

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The image is a scanned page from an old newsletter, likely from the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. The newsletter is titled "Fogg Newsletter," dated February 1974, and it discusses the theft of rare coins from the museum's collection. The page features a small, white paper cutout with images of three coins, two of which are silver coins, and one is a bronze coin. The text on the cutout reads "RARE COINS ARE STOLEN," and it provides details about the theft and the potential impact on scholarship. The main body of the newsletter is written in a smaller font and discusses the theft in more detail, mentioning that the coins were stolen during the night watchman's shift and that the investigation is ongoing. The newsletter also highlights the importance of the coins for teaching and research, as well as their historical and cultural significance.

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The image depicts a page from a newsletter or informational document titled "Fogg Newsletter", dated February 1974 (Vol. 3, No. 1). The page is printed on a light brown cardstock and features a header at the top with the newsletter's name and issue details.

Key Elements of the Image:

Header:

  • The top of the page includes a handwritten note that reads: "Fogg Newsletter Feb. 1974 (Vol. 3, No. 1)."
  • There is also a small illustration or graphic in the header showing three coins: one on the left, one in the middle, and one on the right. The coins appear to be ancient or numismatic artifacts, with intricate designs.

Main Text:

The page contains a news article titled "RARE COINS ARE STOLEN", which reports on a significant theft of coins from the Fogg Art Museum (now known as the Harvard Art Museums). The article provides the following details:

  1. Theft Incident:

    • The theft occurred early in the morning on December 2.
    • A band of armed robbers stole the entire Fogg coin collection.
    • The thieves held up a night watchman and escaped with the collection.
  2. Investigation:

    • The theft is being investigated by Cambridge police and the FBI.
    • Despite the investigation, the coins have not been recovered.
  3. Notification:

    • Coin dealers and prominent numismatists worldwide have been notified of the theft by the Museum and are cooperating in the search.
  4. Details of the Stolen Collection:

    • The collection primarily consisted of Greek and Roman coins, including:
      • Bronze and silver coins dating from 700 B.C. to A.D. 400.
      • Eight hundred American coins, part of the Harvard College Coin Collection.
    • In total, nearly six thousand coins were stolen.
  5. Value and Significance:

    • The collection was described as the "constituents’ funds"—a vital part of the museum's teaching resources.
    • David Gordon Mitten, Associate Curator of Art and Archaeology at the Fogg, emphasized the irreplaceable value of the coins for study and research.
    • The coins were used as a storehouse of factual data on numerous aspects of Greco-Roman civilization, including religion, economics, politics, and more.
    • They were frequently used by students and faculty in courses on numismatics.
  6. The Fogg Coin Room:

    • The Coin Room at the Fogg was established in 1948–49, incorporating collections from the sixteenth century.
    • It had been housed in the Harvard College Library since the sixteenth century.
    • Another collection belonging to the Harvard Library was also affected.

Visual Elements:

  • Coins in the Header: The three coins depicted in the header likely represent examples from the stolen collection. They appear to be ancient coins with detailed engravings, possibly symbolizing the historical and cultural value of the stolen items.

Context:

  • The newsletter serves as an official communication from the Fogg Art Museum, informing readers about the theft and its implications for scholarship and education.
  • The tone is formal and informative, emphasizing the gravity of the loss and the ongoing efforts to recover the stolen items.

Summary:

The image shows a page from the Fogg Newsletter (February 1974, Vol. 3, No. 1) detailing the theft of a significant numismatic collection from the Fogg Art Museum. The article highlights the scale of the theft, the ongoing investigation, and the irreplaceable value of the stolen coins for academic and research purposes. The visual elements, including the coins in the header, reinforce the theme of the theft and its impact on the museum's resources.