---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 11:18 PM -0700
From: "Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton
Cremers)" <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [EXLIBRIS:30086]

Print Missing From Balch Library
Molly Novotny

May 17, 2005 -- A print of the Earl of Loudoun was stolen
from the Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg, probably some
time Friday, said Library Director Alexandra Gressitt. Hung
on the wall in the basement near the public restrooms,
Gressitt said she remembered seeing the picture Friday
morning and that a staff member who left the building at 5
p.m. also remembered seeing it.
"Immediately, I knew something was wrong," Gressitt said
about entering the building at 9 a.m. Saturday. "It was
just obvious to me. There's a whole in the wall where
there's always been something." Gressitt does a daily walk
through of the library.

The engraving after Alan Ramsay was donated to the library
in 1996 from the Loudoun County Historical Society, which
received it from local artist Vinton Liddell Pickens.
Ramsay is a famous 18th century Scottish portrait painter.
It measures 21.5 inches by 17 inches, Gressitt said.

Leesburg police are investigating the incident, but
Gressitt said she hasn't heard of any leads. She said there
were no signs of forced entry.

As a public building, the library is frequently used at
night for meetings. The Thomas Balch Library Commission met
Wednesday from 7 to 8:45 p.m., the Leesburg Planning
Commission held a public meeting Thursday from 7 until
nearly 10 p.m. and Narcotics Anonymous met from 8 until
8:30 p.m. on Friday.


The library and Town of Leesburg will review the security
measures and practices regarding public meetings and patron
use, Gressitt said.

According to a Leesburg police report, the picture dates
back to 1749 and is valued at $5,000. Anyone with
information should call the police at 703-771-4500.


Photo

http://www.leesburg2day.com/current.cfm?catid=6&newsid=10644


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Edward Gaynor
Associate Director,
Special Collections
University of Virginia Library
P.O. Box 400110
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110

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