[MSN] Museum theft. Irreplaceable Items Missing from Dallas Museum

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Irreplaceable Items Missing from Dallas Museum
KXAN-TV
updated 3:29 a.m. ET Dec. 2, 2007

Historical photographs and documents from the earliest days of the Texas Republic and the history of Dallas have been stolen from Fair Park.

The Dallas Historical Society is seeking information leading to the return of 21 items from a permanent collection at the Hall of State. The historical society suspects the items were removed from the building during a recent two-day film shoot.

The items include a pair of spurs confiscated from the tent of Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and later presented by Gen. Sam Houston to a friend after the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto near Houston where Texas won its independence from Mexico. The Beeman family Bible also was among the items. The Beemans were some of the earliest settlers of Dallas. And a picture of the Dallas Shakespeare Club, dated 1911, also was among the collection items missing.

"Our primary and overriding concern is the safe return of these objects. They are extremely significant to the history of Texas and Dallas. Many are literally unique items and are irreplaceable," said executive director Michael Duty. "We consider these items to be essential to the fulfillment of our mission, and we are doing all we can to assure their safe return. We are contacting a wide range of galleries, museums, auction houses, antique and antiquity dealers,
and private collectors with detailed information and photographs of the missing objects."

Duty also said the society is thoroughly reviewing its protocols and security procedures and will take appropriate steps to address any deficiencies up to and including employee disciplinary actions. The DHS will also significantly enhance its security technology and make
any other necessary adjustments to assure the safety of its collections, Duty said.

"We hold these collections -- over 3 million items -- as a public trust. It is our responsibility to ensure their continued availability for future generations," Duty said. "It is our fervent hope that anyone with information will contact us so that these important items will be a
continuing legacy of the many stories of Texas and Dallas."

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22049399/