Archives Scrapbooks

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

Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806607

Mistral, us.mistral.pixtral-large-2502-v1:0

The image shows a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe, dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. The headline reads "5 arrested in Harvard coin theft," and the article details the arrest of five individuals in connection with the theft of rare coins from Harvard's Peabody Museum.

Key points from the article include:

  1. Theft Details:

    • The theft occurred on December 1, 1973.
    • Rare coins, with a total value of approximately $5 million, were stolen.
    • The coins were kept in a safe at the Peabody Museum.
  2. Arrests:

    • Five individuals were arrested:
      • Martin Gravin, 30, of 287 Main St., Medford.
      • David P. Williams, 30, of 292 Walnut St., Newton.
      • Anthony Vaglica, 55, of 14 Foster St., Waltham.
      • Maria Magna, 21, of 287 Main St., Medford.
      • Charles M. Doughty, 26, of 292 Walnut St., Newton.
    • They were charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property and interstate transportation of stolen property.
  3. Recovery:

    • About half of the stolen coins were recovered in Rhode Island.
    • The FBI and local authorities were involved in the recovery and arrests.
  4. Investigation:

    • The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office.
    • The coins were found in a small safe and display cases in Miss Magna's apartment.
  5. Legal Proceedings:

    • The suspects appeared in court, with some released on bail and others held without bail.
    • The article mentions the legal proceedings and bail amounts for the arrested individuals.
  6. Additional Information:

    • The article includes a photograph showing FBI agents displaying a portion of the recovered rare coins.
    • Details about the suspects' backgrounds and previous legal issues are also provided.

The article provides a detailed account of the theft, the subsequent investigation, the arrests, and the legal proceedings related to the recovery of the stolen coins.

Mistral, mistral.magistral-small-2509

The image shows a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe, dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. The headline reads "5 arrested in Harvard coin theft," and the subhead says, "Half of $5 million collection found."

The article, written by Gary McMillan and Richard J. Condon, reports that five people were arrested in connection with the theft of approximately 1,500 rare coins, half of which were recovered. The stolen coins, many dating from 700 B.C. to 400 A.D., were taken from Harvard’s Fogg Museum. The thieves, including a former Harvard University employee, were charged with breaking and entering and larceny.

The article details the arrests of Anthony Vaglica, Maria Megna, David M. Doughty, Charles Mathis, and David J. Regan. It mentions that the coins were found in Rhode Island, and some were allegedly sold to a local dealer. The investigation revealed that the stolen coins were sold for a fraction of their value.

The accompanying photograph shows FBI agents displaying a portion of the rare coins that were recovered. The agents are examining and handling the coins, which are spread out on a table.

The article provides specific details about the individuals involved, their arrests, and the ongoing legal proceedings.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-3b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe, dated November 6, 1974. The headline of the article is "Half of $5 million collection found: 5 arrested in Harvard coin theft."

The article details the following:

  1. Theft Details:

    • Five individuals were arrested in connection with a robbery at Harvard University's Fogg Museum.
    • The thieves stole approximately half of the $5 million worth of ancient Greek and Roman coins from the museum.
    • The coins dated from 700 B.C. to 400 A.D. were recovered in a wooded area near Lincoln, Rhode Island.
  2. Arrested Individuals:

    • Anthony Vaglica, 50, was a former Harvard University employee.
    • Maria Megna, 28, from Medford.
    • David P. Mathis, 33, from Cambridge.
    • William J. Davis, 49, from Cambridge.
    • An unidentified man, possibly a sixth individual.
  3. Context and Suspicion:

    • The FBI and local law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation.
    • David Mathis was known for his involvement in coin collecting and was arrested after being found in possession of stolen artifacts.
    • Mathis was already on probation and was awaiting trial for a prior conviction.
  4. Details of the Robbery:

    • The robbery happened on December 2, 1973, at the Fogg Museum, specifically targeting the coin collection.
    • The stolen coins were transported to Rhode Island and hidden in Mathis's home.
  5. Legal Proceedings:

    • Mathis was remanded to Charles Street Jail to await trial.
    • The case involved charges of robbery and theft, with a significant amount of evidence pointing to Mathis's involvement.
  6. Additional Notes:

    • The article includes a photograph of FBI agents displaying some of the stolen coins and the five arrested individuals.

This detailed summary captures the essence of the reported crime, the individuals involved, and the ongoing legal proceedings as described in the article.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-8b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe, dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. The headline reads "Half of $5 million collection found; 5 arrested in Harvard coin theft."

The article details the arrest of five individuals in connection with a coin theft at Harvard University. The main suspect, Anthony Vaglia, a former Harvard University employee, is described as an amateur coin collector who was arrested for allegedly stealing rare coins valued at millions of dollars from Harvard's Fogg Museum.

The article mentions that about half of the stolen coins, worth approximately $5 million, were recovered. The theft involved rare coins, including ancient Greek and Roman coins, and was discovered on December 2, 1973. The coins were found hidden in various locations, including a wooded area near Lincoln, Rhode Island, and a house in Medford, Massachusetts.

Five people were arrested:

  1. Anthony Vaglia, 50, from Waltham.
  2. Maria Megna, 51, from Medford.
  3. David P. Piazza, 34, from Cambridge.
  4. William J. Davis, 35, from Cambridge.
  5. Anthony Mathias, 44, from Somerville.

The article also mentions that Vaglia was being held in protective custody and that a warrant was issued for his arrest. Piazza was released on bail, while Megna was remanded to jail on a $10,000 bail. Mathias was sentenced to two years in jail for a previous robbery charge and was awaiting sentencing on the current charges.

The clipping includes a photograph of FBI special agents displaying some of the rare coins stolen from Harvard's Fogg Museum. The photo caption mentions that the coins were recovered in Rhode Island.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-14b-instruct

The image shows a newspaper clipping from "The Boston Globe," dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. The headline reads "Half of $5 million collection found: 5 arrested in Harvard coin theft."

Here's a detailed summary of the article:

Five individuals were arrested in connection with the theft of a significant collection of rare coins from Harvard University. The coins were valued at half of $5 million. The theft occurred in December 1973, when an estimated $2.5 million worth of ancient Greek and Roman coins were stolen from Harvard's Fogg Museum.

The arrests were made by the FBI and local authorities. The five individuals arrested included:

  1. Anthony Vaglia, a former Harvard employee and amateur coin collector, who was identified as one of the masterminds of the plot.
  2. Maria Megna, a woman who was also arrested.
  3. Two other individuals identified as David Piazza and Leonard Davis, who were charged with being part of the robbery team.
  4. An unidentified third man who was also involved in the robbery.

The article mentions that the coins were recovered in Rhode Island. The arresting affidavits detailed the theft and subsequent recovery of the coins. Vaglia was described as the main organizer, and he had been in jail since the incident. The coins were found in a safe deposit box in Rhode Island, and some of the coins were on display in the newspaper clipping.

Additionally, the article notes that some of the arrested individuals had previous criminal records, including a robbery in Rhode Island and a burglary in Cambridge. They were all charged with conspiracy and theft.

The image also includes a photograph of the five arrested individuals and a display of some of the recovered coins. The FBI agents are shown holding a portion of the rare coins stolen from Harvard’s Fogg Museum.

Mistral, mistral.mistral-large-3-675b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe, dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. The headline reads, "Half of $5 million collection found, 5 arrested in Harvard coin theft."

Summary of the Article:

Main Incident:
A significant coin collection theft occurred at Harvard University, involving rare and ancient coins valued at around $5 million. About half of the stolen coins, specifically from the collection of ancient Greek and Roman coins from Harvard's Foote Mineral Museum, were recovered.

Arrests:
Five individuals were arrested in connection with the theft:

  1. Anthony Vagliano, 50, from Waltham.
  2. David P. Masiello, 24, from Medford.
  3. Marisa M. Regans, 28, described as Masiello's girlfriend.
  4. Michael M. Dougherty, 20, from Abington.
  5. An unidentified juvenile.

Details of the Crime:

  • The arrests followed an anonymous tip about suspicious behavior in the robbery.
  • The FBI and local law enforcement agencies were involved.
  • The stolen coins, dating from 700 B.C. to 400 A.D., were recovered from a wooded area near Lincoln, Rhode Island.
  • The theft was reportedly committed on the night of December 2, 1973, when the coins were being transferred from storage to a more secure location.

Investigation:

  • The FBI and local police worked together, leading to the arrests.
  • The suspects were identified and arrested based on evidence and witness testimonies.
  • The investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly committed other crimes, including burglaries in Cambridge and Somerville.

Legal Proceedings:

  • Regans' affidavit mentioned that Vagliano had sold some coins to a shop in New York.
  • Bail was set for the suspects, with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
  • One suspect, Masiello, was already on probation for a prior burglary.

Photos:
The article includes two photos:

  1. A group photo of three individuals, likely related to the suspects.
  2. A photo of FBI special agents displaying some of the recovered rare coins.

Overall, the article details the investigation, arrests, and recovery efforts related to the high-value coin theft from Harvard University.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. The headline reads, "5 arrested in Harvard coin theft." The article details the arrest of a former Harvard University employee charged with the theft of $5 million worth of ancient Greek and Roman coins from Harvard's Fogg Museum. It reports that four other people were either unidentified or considered suspects at the time. The thieves were arrested after an investigation, and the coins were recovered. Next to the article is a photo showing FBI special agents displaying a portion of rare coins stolen in December 1973 from Harvard's Fogg Museum and recovered in Rhode Island. The clipping is mounted on a brownish backing sheet with two punched holes at the top.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4

The image shows a newspaper clipping titled "Half of $5 million collection found." The article headline reads "5 arrested in Harvard coin theft," and it's from "The Boston Globe" dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. The story, written by Gary McMillin, appears to cover the arrest of five individuals in connection with the theft of a valuable coin collection from Harvard University.

Below the title, there is a photo that appears in black and white, showing three men standing behind what seems to be a table covered with coins, suggesting that these might be the stolen items that have been recovered. The photo caption indicates that the image is likely related to the theft, as it mentions special agents displaying "part of coin collection" from a specific theft event and mentions the Fogg Museum and Rhode Island.

The newspaper is mounted on a brown corkboard, and we can see a paper fastener in the top center. The top left corner of the newspaper page is folded backward, revealing the backside of the preceding page.

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

The image is a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe, dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974. It features a headline story titled "5 arrested in Harvard coin theft", which reports on a significant theft involving a $5 million collection of coins. The article provides detailed information about the incident, including:

Headline and Subheading:

  • The main headline reads: "5 arrested in Harvard coin theft".
  • A subheading states: "Half of $5 million collection found".

Content Summary:

  • Arrests: Five individuals were arrested in connection with the theft, including:
    • Gary McMillan and Richard J. Connolly, both former Harvard University employees.
    • Maria Megnia, David M. Dougherty, and Leonard Piazza.
  • Theft Details:
    • The theft involved a collection of ancient Greek and Roman coins worth approximately $5 million, housed in the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.
    • The coins were stolen from display cases and a small safe in Megnia's apartment.
    • The stolen coins were later recovered in Rhode Island, where they had been hidden.
  • Investigation:
    • The FBI was involved in the investigation, and the arrests were made following a two-year investigation.
    • The thieves were allegedly part of an organized plot, with some individuals acting as "inside men" who provided information about the museum's security.
  • Court Proceedings:
    • Maria Megnia was charged with breaking and entering and was given a suspended sentence of six months.
    • Leonard Piazza was also charged and required to post a $100,000 bail.
    • Other individuals were arrested on various charges, including larceny and conspiracy.
  • Additional Context:
    • The article mentions that half of the stolen coins, valued between $100,000 and $400,000, were recovered by the FBI.
    • The theft occurred on Quincy Street in Cambridge, near the museum, and the coins were later found in Rhode Island.

Photograph:

  • To the right of the article, there is a black-and-white photograph showing four men standing around a table filled with coins. The caption beneath the photo reads:
    • "FBI special agents display portion of rare stolen coins in December 1973 from Harvard's Fogg Museum and recovered in Rhode Island. (AP)"
    • This indicates that the photograph was taken in December 1973, showing agents displaying some of the recovered coins.

Design and Layout:

  • The article is formatted in a classic newspaper style, with a clear headline, subheading, and detailed body text.
  • The photograph is placed to the right of the article, providing visual context to the story.
  • The newspaper's masthead at the top indicates it is from The Boston Globe, dated Wednesday, November 6, 1974, and is on page 3.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a historical news story about a high-profile art theft, highlighting the collaboration between law enforcement and the FBI in recovering valuable artifacts. The inclusion of the photograph adds a visual element that underscores the significance of the recovered coins.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image is a newspaper clipping from The Boston Globe, dated November 6, 1974. The headline reads "Half of $5 million collection found 5 arrested in Harvard coin theft." The article reports on the arrest of five individuals in connection with a significant coin theft from Harvard University's Fogg Museum. The stolen collection, valued at $5 million, included ancient Greek and Roman coins. The article provides details on the suspects, their arrests, and the recovery of some of the stolen coins. It also includes a photograph of the suspects, labeled with their names and the caption "FBI special agents display portion of rare coins stolen in December 1973 from Harvard's Fogg Museum and recovered in Rhode Island."