Over a nearly six-year period, a Mariners’ Museum archivist named Lester Weber systematically stole thousands of historical documents from the institution, including material related to the sinking of the Titanic, and then sold them on eBay. He and his wife made about $163,000 before being caught ....

by Travis McDade

11/25/09 2:08 PM

Comments

  • Mariners' Museum

    My family has had a collection of 20 halfhulls made by 3 generations of the Steers family on loan to the Mariners' Museum since 1936. To to say that this news of theft from the same museum was disturbing would be a huge understatement. Due to my family's maritime heratige and my own research i have had the pleasure to be able to call the "Swiss gentleman" a friend. It's nice to know that there are others out there willing to put their butts on the line when confronting frauds, fakes, and theives. These crooks are no different than the greedy pothunters who desrtoy ancient burial grounds for personal gain

    Posted by Henry Steers III November 15, 2010 10:40:50

  • Gentleman from Switzerland

    I am proud to know the gentleman from Switzerland. Not only is he highly intelligent, but he had guts to get involved in preserving the Mariners' Museum materials. Lori E. Childs referred to her involvement saying something like, "It was just walking-around money". It might be true that her jeans' pockets are deeper than most! The gentleman from Switzerland acted like a one-man Art Theft Squad and is to be congratulated for doing the right and courageous thing. His discoveries were noted not only in the museum biz but also in the yacht club curators' world where there are considerable opportunities to remove objects.

    Posted by Annie November 15, 2010 07:39:49

  • Appalling

    This is a terrible tragedy. I loved the Mariner's Museum when I was a kid and this is very disturbing.

    Posted by Lucy December 07, 2009 12:48:04

  • Enjoyed reading this.

    Thanks. Was a very good read.

    Posted by November 27, 2009 05:24:05

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