Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-30
ART RELICS STOLEN
The Trianon of Versailles Is
Visited by Thieves.
PRECIOUS OBJECTS TAKEN
Clever Young Modeler Caught in
Meshes of the Police and
Confesses.
Special Cablegram TO The Star.

PARIS. June 29-After the Louvre. the
Trianon of Versailles has been visited by
thieves. young man named Jean Cot
tereau has just been arrested on the
charge of having filched number Of
artistic brass ornaments from the bed in
which Queen Victoria slept during her
visit TO France and also of having ap-
propriated similar ornaments from other
precious historic relics. He declares that
he knows something about the thieves of
the ''Giaconda.' that the Descent From
the Cross. of Murillo. in the Louvre, is
only an imitation put in the place OF the
real painting, which was sold to an
American, and that similar substtutions
have been practiced at the museums of
Fontainbleau and Campeigne.
These declarations of the prisoner are
taken with several grains OF salt, out
there is no doubt that a number OF ar
ticIes have been stolen from the Trianon.
The father OF Jean Cottereau is COM
mission dealer in pictures, and mas been
deputy mayor of DIXON. Some time ago
his son showed him brass plate, wh1ch
the young man. who is eighteen years
old. calmly told him he had removed
from one Of the historic beds at Nersal-
les The father insisted at once that ne
should return it to the museum The son
said that he would do so the next day
dispute followed. and the young man
left his fathers house TO go ana hVe In
a room by himself. He was a clever
modeler and had picked up an acquaint-
ance with a manufacturer Of copies OF
cd furniture
Adept at Initiating Designs.
Young Cottereau displayed a precocious
talent in initiating the designs OF antique
furniture and he was encouraged to sup
ply as many casts possible. He be-
came an assiduous visitor first at the
chateau at Versailles, and then at the
Trfanon. He applied for permission to
take casts of a number of artistic brass
designs, but he was referred to the under
secretary for fine arts. Several objects at
the chateau disappeared and Jean Cot
tereau ceased coming to the museum, but
went instead to the Trianon. Here he
attempted one day to bride a caretaKer ps
giving him 10 francs. The caretaker
pocketed the gold piece and left the room.
The young man mag ned that this was
tacit consent, and proceeded to take
cast of the brass decorations on the ped
which Rad been occupied by Queen Vic
toria While he was at this work the
caretaker returned with his chief, whom
he had Informed, and they both warned
the young man not to attempt sucn DID
cry again.
The chief caretaker suspected him of
having had hand in the theft of four
brass ornaments which decorated the feet
of the oak table of Maldbar, one or tne
-curiosities of the museum.
These brass ornaments had been I'M
screwed. and disappeared last winter.
When the rest of the furniture was eS-
amined many similar articles also wei>
found to be missing, or were partly un-
screwed. waiting to be removed. The
caretakers waited for two months for the
return of the suspected young mag. He
was seen one day. but took to his heels
as soon he was recognized, and eS-
capped by jumping into a tram.
Admits Guilt to Police.
1t was then remembered that he had
given his address when applying for per-
mission to copy the bronze designs. and
the police called at his room. He denied
the charges againet him at first, but
finally admitted that he had removed two
bronze pieces for the purpose of taking
casts, and had intended to restore them.
He has not said where they were at pres
ent.
One of the bronze designs was shown by
him to an antiquarian. who offered only a
trifing sum for IL. The object, said the
dealer was a worthless imitation. The
young man got angry at this, and said
to the dealer that that remark was a
proof that he the dealer. knew nothing.
Il took il away from the Trianon only
a little while ago." added the young man.