The New York herald., 1921-06-06
MORGAN MEMORIAL
IN HARTFORD ROBBED
Mystery About Thefts From
Building Containing Valu-
able Art Collection.
VALUED IN THE MILLIONS
Rare Tapestries Reported Miss
ing-Part Of Exhibits Once
in Metropolitan Museum.
VALUED IN THE MILLIONS

Art treasures of uncertain value were
stolen Saturday night from the memo
rial established in Hartford. CT, several
years ago by the late J. Pierpont Nor
gan, who was born in Hartford. Off
GERS of the memorial reported the theft
to the police who said over the long
distance telephone at 1880 o'clock this
morning that the report was confiden-
tial and that they had been specifically
requested to prevent news of the rob-
tery becoming public.
Policemen on duty In Hartford head
quarters refused to give any hint re-
garding the value Of stolen articles, but
1t was learned that at least some Of
them were old laceso and rare tapes
tries. Detectives working on the case
in Hartford said they had a clue to
the robbers, but refused to discuss any
ether details.
1t was learned that ona of the art OBJ
jects stolen was a tapestry of large
size. taken from the wall Of tapestries
and said to be Of great rarity and high
value.
The collection G.oused in the memorial
Ia known to be worth at least more
than 100000. That was the value Of
a single shipment received in Hartford
secretly In August, 1915. That ship
ment comprised a part OF the elder
Morgan's collection. which had been
on view in the Metropolitan Museum Of
Art here. 1t comprised 1.571 pieces and
filled fifty-three cases.
In addition to this collection, the ex-
hibits in the memorial contained many
valuable pictures and other art works.
making the whole perhaps the finest art
collection in New England and certainly
the most valuable.
At. least two or three men are be-
lieved to have participated in the rob-
berry. Even the manner in which en-
trance to the memorial was gained Is
being kept secret. but It was limited that
in all probability the thieves secreted
themselves in the building when 1t was
closed for the day, Saturday. and then
worked during the night.
How they managed to avoid detection
is considerable OF a mystery. since two
watchmen were on guard inside the
building all night Even the identity
of these watchmen was not disclosed by
the Hartford police because Of the me-
mortal officials request for secrecy.
The robbery was discovered. presum-
ably yesterday morning. by Frank Il.
aE ~s1f A,.N -
as well as the police refused to place
any estimated value on the amount of
treasure obtained by thieves The only
theory that could be advanced regard
ing the manner In which the thieves
got away with their stolen art works
was that a roof entrance had been prled
open and the stolen property carried to
a waiting automobile
Transfer OF the exhibit contained in
the Hartford memorial was provided
for In the will OF the elder Morgan. In
the will he said that In the event that
either his son or his grandson should
succeed to the ownership OF the col
lections he hoped they would think II
best to make a permanent disposal OF
part OF the collection 10 the Morgan
Memorial This memorial forms a part
of the Wadsworth Athenaeum and Is
In Main street. Hartford. alongside, the
city's new Municipal Building.
The first news that the request OF the
elder Morgan was about to be carried
out came as announcement from Edward
Robinson. director OF the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, in June. 1915
In May OF that year the present j. l..
Morgan had ordered the exhibition at
the Metropolitan Museum closed. He
gave much time to the selection Of cer-
tain classes of material for the Hart
ford exhibition, and then had the mu-
scum announce the preparations for the
transfer. which was accomplished In
August. II was explained In the an
nouncement that the collection for Hart
ford would consist largely Of ceramics.
and would include all the Meissen figures
and vases which were shown here. as
well as the Sevres porcelains. A few OF
the pieces shown here were reserved for
Mr.. Morgan.
In addition to the ceramics and porce.
lains. the Hartford collection. II was
planned. should include a careful selec-
tion OF specimens of Venetian glass.
Renaissance works in silver and ivory.
several individual objects OF the same
period In various materials and a collec-
ton az ancient Roman glass and pottery.
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