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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806754

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The image is a collage of newspaper clippings, primarily from the Harvard Crimson and the Boston Herald-American, dated from 1976. The clippings are mounted on a brown cardboard sheet. Here's a detailed summary of each clipping:

  1. Boston Herald-American, May 24, 1976: "Cowbell calls dinnertime"

    • This article describes a rare dinner event at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University. The event, hosted by the Friends of the Fogg Art Museum, featured a Swiss-style dinner with white-coated Swiss waiters serving traditional dishes like raclette and fondue. The dinner was held to raise funds for the museum's acquisitions and was attended by prominent figures, including George Alexander.
  2. Harvard Crimson, June 4, 1976: "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief"

    • This article reports on the hiring of a private investigator, Robert J. Regan, by Harvard University to recover stolen rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum. The theft, which occurred on December 1, 1975, involved over 11,000 coins worth approximately $150,000. The investigator allegedly assaulted the suspected thief, Richard Midler, during the recovery process. The article discusses the legal proceedings and the university's response to the allegations.
  3. Additional Clippings:

    • There are smaller clippings attached to the main articles. One mentions a scene of an old Swiss dinner, describing the traditional attire and customs. Another clipping provides additional details about the coin theft and the legal proceedings involving Richard Midler.

The collage appears to be a compilation of news articles related to events at Harvard University, specifically focusing on a fundraising dinner and a coin theft incident.

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The image shows a collection of newspaper clippings, each with distinct articles and photographs. Here is a detailed summary of the contents:

  1. Top Left Clipping (Boston Herald-American, May 24, 1976)

    • Title: "Cowbell calls dinnertime"
    • Author: Rose Walsh
    • Summary: The article discusses an event at the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University. A rare weather-vane in the form of a cowbell, a gift from a Swiss village, was presented. The event included a cocktail reception and a dinner honoring Dr. Alain B. Bouchez. The article also mentions several attendees, including Mrs. Alessandra, H. Alexander, and others.
  2. Middle Right Clipping (Harvard Crimson, June 4, 1976)

    • Title: Not fully visible, but related to a theft at the Fogg Art Museum.
    • Summary: The article discusses the theft of $1,000,000 worth of ancient coins from the Fogg Art Museum. It mentions a preliminary hearing for the accused thieves, including one named Regan. The article also refers to the involvement of a private detective, Irving Richards, who was allegedly assaulted by a Harvard investigator.
  3. Bottom Clipping (Author: By Marc M. Sadowsky)

    • Title: "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief"
    • Summary: This article provides an update on the aftermath of the coin theft at the Fogg Art Museum. It mentions that three and a half years after the theft, the case is still unresolved. It details allegations that Irving Richards, the private detective, was assaulted by Martin G. Regan, a Harvard-employed investigator. The article also discusses legal proceedings, including a hearing where Regan was present, and mentions that Harvard is seeking to recover the stolen coins.

The articles collectively cover two main events: a ceremonial event at Harvard University’s Busch-Reisinger Museum and the aftermath of a significant theft at the Fogg Art Museum, including legal ramifications and investigations.

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The image shows two newspaper articles from 1976, each detailing different events.

Left Article (Boston Herald-American, May 24, 1976)

Title: "Cowbell calls dinnertime"

This article discusses a unique dinner event at the Busch-Reisinger Museum of Harvard University:

  • Event Description: A rare white-tailed gnu, also known as a wildebeest, named "Swazi" was the centerpiece of the dinner's theme. Swazi, who was born in the Berlin Zoo and later moved to the Franklin Park Zoo, was celebrated during the event.
  • Dinner Details:
    • The dinner was called "Dinner of Friends of the Busch-Reisinger Museum."
    • The evening featured a reception with a cockail hour followed by dinner.
    • The menu was themed around the gnu, including "Gnu Cocktails," "Gnu Cheese," and a main course of "Roast Gnu."
    • The event was attended by various notable guests, including George Abrams, Mrs. Alan A. Smith, and Dr. and Mrs. John Rosenthal.
  • Guest of Honor:
    • The gnu Swazi, who was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, specifically a swimming accident which concentrated her on rehabilitation efforts.

Right Article (Harvard Crimson, June 4, 1976)

Title: "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief"

This article covers an incident involving the theft of coins from Harvard's Fogg Art Museum:

  • Incident Details:
    • On December 3, 1973, approximately 11,000 rare coins were stolen from the Fogg Art Museum.
    • Harvard hired a private investigator, Martin G. Regan, to recover the stolen coins.
    • During the investigation, the thief, Richard A. Manganaro, was allegedly assaulted by Regan after being caught with the coins.
  • Legal Proceedings:
    • Manganaro claimed that he was eating breakfast when Regan and others assaulted him, handcuffed him, and took him to the FBI.
    • The preliminary hearing addressed whether there was enough evidence to proceed to trial.
    • Manganaro's attorney argued that the coins had been recovered before Regan was hired, thus questioning Regan's involvement.
    • Regan’s attorney countered that Regan acted responsibly and within the law.
  • Outcome:
    • The Middlesex Superior Court Judge indicated he would decide if the case should proceed to trial.

Both articles highlight different aspects of Harvard-related events, one focusing on a social gathering and the other on a legal matter involving theft and an investigator's conduct.

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The image contains two newspaper clippings from the Boston Herald-American, dated May 24, 1976, and June 4, 1976, respectively.

  1. May 24, 1976 Clipping:

    • Headline: "Cowbell calls dinnertime"
    • Summary: This article describes an event at the Busch Reisinger Museum of Harvard University, where a Swiss cowbell was rung to initiate the annual Swiss Dinner of Friends of Switzerland. The cowbell was donated by the Swiss Consulate and is a replica of a cowbell from the Swiss Alps. The dinner was attended by numerous individuals, including Harvard staff, students, and community members. The article also includes a brief description of the Swiss cowbell and its significance.
  2. June 4, 1976 Clipping:

    • Headline: "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief"
    • Author: Marc Sadowsky
    • Summary: This article reports on allegations that Irving Richards, a private investigator hired by Harvard University, assaulted a man accused of stealing rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum. The incident occurred on December 3, 1973, during the preliminary hearing for the accused robbers. Richards allegedly beat the man with a blackjack and handcuffed him. The article mentions that Richards was dismissed from his position as Harvard's investigator, and the defendants in the robbery case have requested that Richards be dismissed as a witness. The article also notes that Richards has denied the allegations and claims that he was merely trying to stop the suspect from fleeing.

Additionally, there is a smaller photo within the first clipping, showing a Swiss cowbell and a scene of the Swiss Alps, along with an accompanying description of a Swiss family of bankers and their involvement in the event. The second clipping contains a black-and-white photo showing the Fogg Art Museum, likely the site of the coin robbery.

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The image shows a collection of newspaper clippings from the Boston Herald-American, dated May 24, 1976, and June 4, 1976.

  1. May 24, 1976 Clipping: "Cowbell calls dinnertime"

    • The article is titled "Cowbell calls dinnertime" and is written by Rose Walsh.
    • It describes a special event at Harvard University, where a cowbell was rung to initiate a dinner for the Friends of the Busch-Reisinger Museum.
    • The dinner was held in honor of the success of the double celebration of the museum's 50th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Swiss cowbell tradition.
    • The event included a cocktail reception, dinner, and a musical performance by a young associate, Mrs. Rosalie shared the evening with Swiss flowers and a dessert of chocolate squares.
    • Notable attendees included various Harvard officials and other distinguished guests.
  2. June 4, 1976 Clipping: "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief"

    • This article, written by Marc Sadowsky, reports on an incident involving a private investigator hired by Harvard.
    • It recounts that Irving Richards, a coin thief, was allegedly assaulted by Martin G. Regan, a private investigator hired by Harvard University.
    • The article describes the robbery of 1,100 rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum in 1973 and subsequent legal proceedings.
    • Richards was arrested and claimed he was beaten by Regan, who was hired to investigate the theft.
    • The preliminary hearing was scheduled to determine the validity of Richards' claims, and the university's defense argued that Regan had a right to use reasonable force to prevent the escape of the thief.

The clippings together detail an event of academic and cultural significance (the dinner) and a legal and investigative incident (the coin theft and subsequent assault allegations).

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The image is a collage of newspaper clippings from the Boston Herald-American, dated May 24, 1976, and June 4, 1976.

Top Clipping (May 24, 1976):
The headline reads, "Cowbell calls dinntime." This article details a dinner hosted by the Museum of Harvard's Busch-Reisey Collection in celebration of the success of the Double Celebration Dinner of Friends of Switzerland. Cowbell, presumably a reference to a Swiss cowbell, is mentioned in connection with a toast. The article describes the evening as a cocktail reception in the Old Swiss Room, with various guests including several Harvard professors and their spouses. The event was a highlight of the dinner, with attendees including notable figures like Dr. Alain B. Rousseau, the Chief of the Spinal Cord Injury Service at West Roxbury Veterans Administration Hospital, and many others.

Middle Clipping (June 4, 1976):
The main focus of this section is an article titled, "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief."

  • The article mentions that Harvard University hired Martin G. Regen, a private investigator, after allegations were made about Irving Richards, a former employee of the Fogg Art Museum, who allegedly assaulted and stole coins.
  • The theft of 1,000 rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum occurred on December 3, 1973.
  • The preliminary hearing regarding Richards' actions is noted to be ongoing, and the defense argues that Harvard bears responsibility for not preventing the theft.
  • Irving Richards was charged with assaulting a private investigator hired by Harvard, Martin G. Regen, and was later found guilty of robbery and theft.

Additional Details:

  • The article also discusses the legal proceedings and the claims made by Martin G. Regen, who alleges that Richards assaulted him and stole coins.
  • It notes that Richards was cooperating with the FBI but did not directly take responsibility for the theft, which was initially handled by handcuffs and made one of the coins.

The collage highlights the intersection of social events and legal investigations, particularly the unusual circumstances surrounding the theft of valuable art coins and the subsequent legal actions.

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This image shows a photo of a newspaper clipping mounted on a brown-cardboard background. The newspaper appears to be the "Boston Herald-American" dated May 24, 1976, with two columns visible. The left column is titled "Cowbell calls dinnertime" and has an article below it about Rose Walsh, while the right column features a photograph with a caption that reads "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief."

Below that, there's a smaller section of a different newspaper clipping, titled "Harvard Crimson" dated June 4, 1976, with an article about the same event involving the coin theft and the subsequent alleged assault by an investigator. The visible photograph in the right column shows an interior space with tables, chairs, and other items, but the details are not clear due to the image quality and size. There is also a partial view of an article describing an incident from December 3, 1973, where robbers stole rare coins from the Fogg Art Museum.

The entire set of clippings has been carefully placed, suggesting documentation or a personal collection. There are staples and a clear protective cover, taping the newsprint to the cardboard.

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The image shows a scrapbook page with two newspaper clippings attached. The page is a light brown color with three punched holes on the left side, indicating it was likely stored in a binder.

  1. The top clipping is from the Boston Herald-American dated May 24, 1976, with the headline "Cowbell calls dinnertime" followed by "Rose Walsh" in a highlighted box. The article discusses a cocktail reception at the Old World Courtyard hosted by the Friends of Harvard University, mentioning Swiss cowbell traditions and an award presented to Cultural Achievement awardee Dr. Alain B. Rossier. It also lists several attendees and honorees.

  2. The bottom clipping is from the Harvard Crimson dated June 4, 1976, with the headline "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief." It contains a black-and-white photo of a ransacked coin room at the Fogg Art Museum surrounded by text explaining the incident of a robbery on December 3, 1973. The article discusses the involvement of Harvard in hiring an investigator regarding the case, the assault allegation against the investigator by a private coin thief, and the ongoing legal and investigative proceedings.

Both clippings are carefully arranged on the page, giving a historical glimpse into events associated with Harvard University in 1976.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping that appears to be from the Boston Herald-American, dated May 24, 1976. The clipping contains two articles. The first article, titled "Cowbell calls dinnertime," describes a rare dinner event at the University of Basel in Switzerland, where a Swiss cowbell was presented as a birthday gift to Dr. George A. Stratton, a Harvard University professor. The second article, titled "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief," reports on the hiring of an investigator by Harvard University to recover stolen coins from the Fogg Art Museum. The investigator, Martin G. Regan, is accused of assaulting one of the accused robbers during the investigation.

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The image shows a scanned page from a newspaper, likely from the Boston Herald-American, dated May 24, 1976, and another from the Harvard Crimson, dated June 4, 1976. The page is divided into two main sections, each featuring distinct news stories.

Top Section: Boston Herald-American (May 24, 1976)

  • Headline: "Cowbell calls dinnertime"
  • Content:
    This section reports on a unique event involving a dinner hosted by Rose Walsh, a prominent figure. The dinner was held at the Busch-Reisinger Museum of the Fine Arts at Harvard University. It was a celebration for the double celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Harvard Museum of Fine Arts and the 25th anniversary of the Busch-Reisinger Museum.
    • The dinner featured a Swiss-themed menu, including Bavarian beer, Swiss chard, Bavarian potato salad, and traybake with Swiss chard and ham.
    • Notable attendees included Dr. James Bechtel, Mrs. James Bechtel, Mrs. Alexandrina Freer, Mrs. Aleasandra Freer, Mrs. James Bechtel, Mrs. Rose Walsh, Mrs. James Bechtel, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Thorn, Mrs. Betty Isabella Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dino Gibson, Mrs. Mark Dino Gibson, Mrs. M. Y. 10 Hackensack, Mrs. Bernice Neff, Mrs. Charles Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Alfred Wolff, Mrs. Sam Alfred Wolff, Mrs. John Ramsey, Dr. and Mrs. John Ramsey, Dr. Alan B. Rogoff, Dr. and Mrs. Alan B. Rogoff, Dr. Herbert P. Bloch, Mrs. Herbert P. Bloch, Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Neuman, the George Muskers among others.
    • The dinner was organized by Dr. Rose Walsh, who shared her cater, Mrs. Rosier, with the Harvard Dining Service.
    • The event was described as a rare weather-wise setting for the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and it marked a success of the double celebration.

Bottom Section: Harvard Crimson (June 4, 1976)

  • Headline: "Investigator Hired by Harvard Allegedly Assaulted Coin Thief"
  • Content:
    This section details a legal and investigative scandal involving Richard M. Sadowski, a private investigator hired by Harvard University to recover stolen coins. The article discusses the following key points:
    • Background: On December 3, 1973, robbers ransacked the Coin Room at the Fogg Art Museum, stealing 11,000 rare ancient coins valued at $1 million. The robbery was the largest in Harvard’s history.
    • Investigation: Harvard hired Richard M. Sadowski, a private investigator, to recover the stolen coins. Sadowski was accused of assaulting a coin thief, Martin G. Regan, who was allegedly involved in the robbery.
    • Legal Proceedings: Sadowski was dragged into court and faced charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The case was continued without a finding.
    • Conflicting Testimony: There is mention of conflicting testimony regarding the incident, with Sadowski claiming he acted in self-defense.
    • Harvard’s Role: Harvard is accused of hiring Sadowski despite his alleged violent behavior, raising questions about the university’s responsibility in the matter.
    • Legal Defense: Sadowski’s defense argues that Harvard must bear some responsibility for the incident, as he was acting under their direction. The article notes that Harvard has not paid Sadowski for his services, despite his efforts to recover the stolen coins.
    • Court Proceedings: The case is scheduled for trial, and the Middlesex Superior Court Judge will decide whether to proceed based on the evidence.

Visual Elements:

  • The page includes a photograph of a computer terminal (likely an early mainframe or minicomputer), which is part of the Harvard Crimson article. The terminal appears to be part of a larger system, possibly illustrating the technology used in the investigation or the university’s resources.
  • The layout is typical of a newspaper, with columns of text, headlines, and subheadings to organize the information.

Overall Context:

The image captures two distinct news stories from different publications:

  1. A social and cultural event at Harvard, highlighting a unique dinner with a Swiss theme.
  2. A legal and investigative scandal involving a private investigator hired by Harvard, raising questions about accountability and the university’s role in the incident.

The juxtaposition of these stories provides a snapshot of the diverse news coverage of the time, ranging from high-society events to serious legal matters.