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1933 N.Y. Sun. March 2 SCULPTURE THEFT BELIEVED RACKET Bronze Figurine Latest to Disappear-Some Traced to Western Cities Detectives today are investigating the possibility of the development of a racket in the stealing and selling of small sculptures. The investigation arose from the disappearance of a bronze nude figurine by Cornelia Chapin, from an exhibition at the gallery of the American Woman's Association. The sculpture was taken from the gallery on February 22 and it is believed that the theft was committed during the afternoon. The investigation is concentrating on art dealers in Western cities, it was learned today. According to detectives working on the case, there have been several thefts of small bronzes in New York in which the stolen sculptures have been traced through Western shipments and sales. The figure, which is called "Flattery," is nineteen inches high and Miss Chapin estimates that it weighs ten or eleven pounds. It was wired to the stand on which it was exhibited and it is considered probable that the wire was cut with a pair of clippers and the figurine carried out of the gallery under an overcoat. There was an attendant in the gallery throughout the day and the gallery was locked at night. Miss Chapin explained today that the wire which held the sculpture to the stand was not strong. The figurine had been fastened to the base not as a safeguard against theft, but simply to prevent gallery visitors from moving it on its pedestal and leaving it in a position in which it would not show to greatest advantage. The wire, therefore, proved no great obstacle to its removal. A reward has been offered for the return of the figurine or for clues leading to its return. Philadelphia Public Ledger UNDAY MORNING, MARCH 26, 1933 Statuette by Woman Artist Stolen From N.Y. Exhibition Public Ledger Bureau} New York, March 25 } A bronze statuette, the work of Miss Cornelia Chapin, well-known New York sculptor, has disappeared from an exhibition under the auspices of the American Woman's Association at 353 West 57th street. It was learned today that Miss Anne Morgan, one of the sponsors of the exhibition, offered a substantial reward for its return or for information leading to its recovery. The work is a nude figure called "Flattery." No one connected with the show has been able to throw light on the disappearance and the mystery is heightened by the fact that the bronze figure could not be removed easily by a single person. The work was one of the latest to come from Miss Chapin's atelier at 58 West 57th street. Miss Chapin is a sister of Mrs. Katherine G. Biddle, of 3460 West School lane, Germantown. [[image]] "FLATTERY" Brooklyn Eagle "Flattery," [[?]] bronze figurine by Miss Cornelia Van A. Chapin, 58 W. 57th St., was stolen last week from the Winter art exhibition of the American Woman's Association in the A. W. A. Clubhouse, 353 W. 57th St. The figure is 19 inches high, weighs between 12 and 15 pounds and is mounted on an unvarnished hand-made wooden base. It represents a young girl looking up, her right foot forward, her arms behind her back with the hands cupped. A gilded bronze figure "Flattery" by CORNELIA VAN A. CHAPIN was taken from the Winter art exhibition of the American Woman's Association at its clubhouse on 57th street. It is a figure of a young girl looking up, her right foot forward, her arms behind her back with hands cupped. National Arts - April '33
