---------- 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 ---------- End Forwarded Message ---------- ------------- Edward Gaynor Associate Director, Special Collections University of Virginia Library P.O. Box 400110 Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html