October 18, 2000
CONTENTS:
- pencil markings on paintings (RE: invisible ink): Steve Keller
- International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP) News Brief
- Stolen Enigma machine returned
From: IntlArtCop@aol.com
Subject: pencil markings on paintings (RE: invisible ink)
Tom Dixon mentioned the pros and cons of marking pictures and one comment involved pencil markings on pictures. This brought to mind an incident when the Cezannes were stolen in Chicago in 1978 that may be of interest, if not off subject. Bob Spiel may be lurking and may wish to correct any errors in my memory as to this incident as he was the FBI agent on this case.
At least one of the Cezannes had a multiple digit number penciled on the back of the picture, placed there in years prior by an unknown person. The Chicago police department . . .well, let's just say, they leak like a broken water pipe . . and someone deliberately or accidentally gave the police department an incorrect number for their case file that was not to appear on the report. Within hours of the press reports of the major heist, several people called the museum or police and reported that they had the pictures and would return them for a ransom. Simultaneously, the newspaper reported the numbers which were not supposed to be listed on the police report because, as I said, the police department "leaks". Fortunately, the numbers reported were the incorrect numbers.
Callers claiming to have the Cezannes were asked to provide the numbers from the picture to verify that they really had the pictures and all of them gave the incorrect numbers--the ones reported in the press--revealing that they were false extortion calls which often come in after such a major theft.
The lesson here is to not be too quick to reveal to anyone the markings on the back of pictures after a theft. The press doesn't need the photo of the back of the picture, for example. And be careful what information you give to the police. Every reporter knows someone in the PD who can get access to the case file. By having something that only the thief knows, you can identify the real thief when the need arises to deal with him.
Steve Keller
From: LayneCnslt@cs.com
Subject: IFCPP News Brief
The International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP) announces the appointment of Erroll G. Southers, CIPM as Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the IFCPP. Southers is currently Assistant Vice-President and Director of Protection Services for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He is a former Special Agent of the FBI, and Santa Monica Police Officer. Mr. Southers succeeds James J. Davis, CPP, CIPM, of James J. Davis & Associates, who served in that position through the Foundation's formation and early development.
The confer
Erroll will officially begin his duties as Chairman at the opening ceremonies of the 2nd Annual Conference, Seminar, & Exhibits, on November 4, 2000 in Denver, Colorado. The conference will begin with a keynote address by Denver Manager of Public Safety Aristedes Zavaras, formerly Colorado's Executive Director of Public Safety and Denver Chief of Police. Attendees from throughout the United States, Canada and Europe will participate in Emergency Exercise I. This simulation of the takeover of a public facility will demonstrate planning and coordination in dealing with crisis incidents, with demonstrated response by units of the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Health and Medical Services.
The conference runs November 3-6, 2000 at Denver's Marriott Hotel at Gateway Park. On Monday, November 6, qualified applicants attend specialized training followed by examination and designation as Certified Institutional Protection Manager (CIPM) or Certified Institutional Protection Specialist (CIPS). For conference information or registration, contact Rob Layne, CIPM, Executive Director. 1-800-257-6717. Rob@IFCPP.com. http://www.IFCPP.com .
Stevan P. Layne, CPP, CIPM
LayneCnslt@cs.com
IFCPP - Founding Director
Stolen Enigma machine returned
By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent
(Daily Telegraph)
JEREMY PAXMAN opened a mystery parcel yesterday and found the missing Enigma cipher machine, stolen six months ago from Bletchley Park, the home of Britain's wartime codebreakers. The presenter of Newsnight and University Challenge did not at first realise the bonus that was waiting for him in the BBC offices. The hefty cardboard package, sent by Royal Mail special delivery, had been lying unopened for days before a colleague pointed out it was addressed to him.
Paxman said: "As soon as I opened it I realised what it was. It looks as though it is authentic. It's got the G312 code on the back. I haven't a clue why they sent it to me. As far as I know I haven't got a reputation as a receiver of stolen goods. I'm delighted to be able to return it to its rightful owner. They are very poignant machines. I think what they did at Bletchley Park during the war was quite outstanding."
The device, which was posted in a wooden box with a leather handle and wrapped in three layers of packing and bubble wrapping, has yet to be authenticated by Bletchley Park. It was sent without its three main rotors, the key enciphering component, and the Bletchley Park Trust was told these would only be handed over in return for £25,000 compensation. The rare, four-rotor version of the wartime machine used by German military intelligence is worth £100,000 intact but much less without its rotors.
Christine Large, the trust's chief executive, said that the "new owner" had contacted her yesterday to give his instructions for a handover of £25,000, which he claims was paid for the machine, in exchange for the rotors. The trust agreed to pay the ransom following a threat from a "middle-man", claiming to act for someone who bought the machine, that it would be destroyed. A British company is understood to have come forward to offer the £25,000. Mrs Large said: "Following this act of faith by the new owner of G312, we are now attempting to put him in touch with representatives of the benefactor who has come forward with the £25,000 ransom."
The machine, which had been loaned to the trust by GCHQ, Britain's modern-day codebreaking organisation, was in a wooden box the size of a typewriter. It disappeared on an open day in April shortly before the trust's display of three Enigma machines was to be fitted with infra-red alarms.
more: http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/press.htm#theft