Books Stolen
FINE ARTS GALLERY OF SAN DIEGO, BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO, CAL
15th Century Italian Book of Hours removed from Fine Art Gallery of
San Diego. Book about 4½ in. x 6 in., red brown
morocco binding. of Bedford, done in marguerites surrounded by oval
garlands in style of Cloviseve. Miniatures of very high quality in
polychrome and gold. In back, a series of about eight pictures of
saints in 16th century style. Book had book-plate of Mr. Newman and
Julius Wangenheim, owner. Please send information to above address.1
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Images from the article
The classified ad in "The Weekly Book Exchange" section gave Miss Ludington
pause. She wired San Diego's Fine Arts Gallery. The gallery immediately relayed
her message to the book's owner. Its director sent a Postal Telegram,
dated October 3,1930, to:
JULIUS WANGENHEIM
PALACE HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO CALIF
FOLLOWING RECEIVED FROM MILLS COLLEGE LIBRARY STOP BOUGHT BOOK YESTERDAY FROM
HENRY A STANLEY CLOSELY RESEMBLES ONE ADVERTISED IN
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
REGINALD POLAND2
The journey from San Francisco's Palace Hotel to Oakland's
Mills College is short. Next day, October 4, 1930, Mr. Wangenheim wired via
Western Union to:
REGINALD POLAND
FINE ARTS GALLERY SAN DIEGO CALIF
YES ITS THE BOOK STOP THANKS FOR WIRE STOP IM ALMOST SORRY TO FIND IT HAD BEEN TAKEN FROM
GREED RATHER THAN LOVE
J. WANGENHEIM3
That same day, a perturbed Henry Stanley, who had evidently
misunderstood both the name and sex of the Gallery's director, wrote a letter of
explanation from his home, 2817 Park Boulevard, Oakland, California.
Miss Toler, Director
Fine Arts Gallery
Balboa Park,
San Diego, Calif.
Dear Madam:
This morning I went to Police Hqtrs., this city, in response
to an enquiry re one 15th century Italian Book of Hours allegedly stolen from
your gallery.
My connection with this book is as follows:
About two months ago, I purchased the book from a Mexican
gentleman in Chihuahua, Mexico for the sum of $50.00.
I was given to understand that it might be a piece of church
property that was taken during the confiscation raids made upon the Mexican
Catholic church of four years ago.
I fell in love with the book, intending to keep such a
treasure, and brought it north with me to Oakland. There was no secrecy about my
possession of it, as I showed it to various people, experts and others. It was
greatly admired, and it was suggested that some institution should have it. It
was then suggested that the book go to Mills College of Oakland. I took it there.
This college has a benefactor named Mr. Bender. It was
suggested by Mills College that the book be submitted to Mr. Bender with a view
of purchase. This was done. Mr. Bender recommended the purchase, and I received
$150.00 for it from Mills College.
That is my sole connection with this book. I am deeply
grieved about the whole matter, but can rejoice in the fact that the rightful
owners can again get the book back. In ignorance, I may have kept the book locked up
for years, and it would have remained unfound. My duty, as I see it, is to
reimburse Mills College the amount paid, and strive to have the book returned to you.
I am a responsible citizen of this city, a property owner,
head of a family and respected. I am an operator of mining properties in Mexico,
a frequent traveller to and from that country. I did get a shock upon finding
that I was an innocent victim of the theft of this book, but again I rejoice
that I was instrumental in its restoration to its rightful owners.
Faithfully yours,
Henry A. Stanley
Vera Cruz, Mexico &
Oakland, California4
Next day, October 5,1930, Stanley wrote two more fervid
letters. And, he listed a third residence: 18 Venetian Court, Capitola-Santa Crus (sic).
Albert M. Bender
311 California Street
San Francisco
Dear Sir:
It is with the most abject humility that I address this letter to you.
I seem to have been the victim of a circumstance that is altogether too horrible.
Yesterday morning (Saturday) I was called from my home to the
Police Hdqtrs., and asked if I knew anything of an illuminated book that was
missing from the Fine Arts Gallery at San Diego.
I replied that I had sold to the Mills College such a book
and that I had received $150.00 for it. That I had submitted the book to a Mr.
Bender of S. F. living at your address. I was then told that it is a stolen book.
The story of my connection with this book is as follows:
About two months or so ago, I bought the book for $50.00 in the city of
Chihuahua, Mexico from a gentleman named Sanchez...
Stating his belief that the book had been confiscated from a
Catholic Church during an enforcement of Mexican law, Stanley went on to say:
A Mr. DeWitte of Oakland, a bookseller to whom I showed it,
thought the Mills College should have it. I took it to Miss Ludington who
referred me to you. You recommended the purchase and it was made. . .
My great concern now is the restoration to the rightful owner of this
property (upon proper identification of course) and the
return of the money paid for the book to me to Mills College.
As he had in his letter to the director of San Diego's Fine
Arts Gallery, Mr. Stanley emphasized his reputation as a responsible citizen of
Oakland, adding:
I signed my name at Mills College. I spoke to Miss Ludington of my
friendship with former pupils of that school. I gave my name to you. I endorsed
the check with my name and address. I have not been in San Diego for a long,
long time and I think all of these circumstances will prove my innocent
connection with this book5
In a letter to Miss Ludington, also dated October 5, 1930,
Stanley reverted to his Oakland residence for a dateline. Addressing her "with a
most humble spirit," he repeated much of the information he had given Mr.
Bender. Mr. Stanley included the circumstance of his purchase of the book "about
two months or so ago," and stressed the same two points:
It now remains for me to see that the Book is returned to the
rightful owners, and reimburse Mills College the money paid out for the Book.6
By October 9, Julius Wangenheim had returned home to San
Diego. There, among his many commitments, he resumed his duties as president of
the Fine Arts Society.7 A graduate engineer—University of California, Berkeley,
1887—J. W. was a Renaissance man in the early 20th century. As a mathematician,
he had invented a solar clock, a surprisingly accurate sundial that won national
recognition.8 He was also a merchant, banker, civic leader patron of all the
arts. (On his 75th birthday, a family member, identified only as "E.E.K.,"
described him in verse as: "Philosopher and Financier, Philanthropist and
Engineer, Keen judge of every French liqueur, Of all the arts, a Connoisseur.")9
J. W. worked with gusto, laced with humor, for every civic
and cultural activity in San Diego. It was part of the Wangenheim philosophy. In
his autobiography he states:
"Too many students matriculate as school boys and emerge with
their degrees still the same schoolboys. . . . I have long contended there should
be a year between high school and college in which one should engage in
practical work. This would be a boon to the institutions of higher learning,
sifting out many students who should never go there. . . . Lately I have added the
proposal that the year's interim should be spent in public service which would
inculcate a sense of civic responsibility and appreciation."10
J. W. was also a Collector, as he put it, "with a capital C."
"A person is a Collector or he isn't," he wrote in an article for the San
Diego Union. "It's something in the blood that commences with Shoes and
Ships and Sealing Wax and ends with Gutenberg Bibles or dreams of them..."
"The big 'C' depends on the number of times one's 'been
stung' and you don't get a degree until you're thoroughly grounded in that
experience. . . . as to my own record, my sleeves are well and plentifully
adorned with Collector's chevrons."11
Despite his wry approach, the Wangenheim collections were
highly respected. Books and rare editions were an early and continuing
enthusiasm. In 1906, during a business sojurn in San Francisco, he wrote to his
brother-in-law, Melville Klauber.12
Dear Mel:
This is to advise you that subject to the money being raised
within a week, I have sold the stamp collection for $2,000. When I receive the
money will buy 20 shares of (not decipherable) stock and can use the income on
some hobby, probably books.
J. W.13
Some two decades later, J. W. had collected so many
manuscripts and incunabula he was able to mount an Exhibition of Rare Books for
San Diego's Fine Arts Gallery. Opening August 17, 1929, the exhibit traced the
art of writing from ancient coins, medals and manuscripts to examples of fine
printing in the 20th century.14
"It has been aptly said," J. W. wrote in The Modern
Clubwoman of November 1929, "that the greatest achievement of the human race
is its language: its greatest art, the art of writing; that the first
differentiates man from the brute, while the second distinguishes civilized man
from the savage.
"If this be true, then the history of writing is, in a sense,
the history of civilization, and it is around this idea that I have made the
exhibition now in the Fine Arts Gallery."
The exhibit began with a series of coins minted during the
four great periods of Western culture-the Greek, Roman, Medieval and
Renaissance.
The second case illustrated the history of manuscripts and
printing. It began with Babylonian tablets—lent by Yale authorities—-from the
24th Century B.C. Next came Egyptian hieroglyphic and hieratic examples, one on
a rare piece of papyrus. "This latter was the writing material of the ancient
world, with practically none of it preserved except in Egypt, and there, only on
account of the dry climate," J. W. explained.
In the next exhibit case were two Bibles of the 13th Century, "beautifully
written on very thin vellum made from the skins of stillborn calves.
"There is then considerable Fourteenth Century work," wrote
J. W., "and much of that glorious production of the Fifteenth Century when the
Renaissance was at its height." Here were "a number of books and specimens
illustrated in burnished gold and brilliant colors."15
This was the display case that some other "collector" could
not resist. For in it, on August 31, 1930, a Fifteenth Century "Book of Hours,"
done entirely in manuscript save for a Nineteenth Century binding by Bedford,
turned up missing.16
¤
On October 9, 1930, both J. W. and Reginald Poland wrote to
Henry Stanley. Poland expressed appreciation for Stanley's explanation.. ."and,
of course, for saying that you are willing to refund the $150.00 to the Mills
Library and to see that Julius Wangenheim is once more in the possession of the
15th Century 'Book of Hours'!"17
J. W. must have asked Stanley for more details. Three pages
of them were handwritten in a reply dated October 11,1930 and addressed to:
Julius Wangenheim
First National Bank Bldg.
San Diego, Calif.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of Oct. 9th reached me last night for which I thank you.
In compliance with your wish I hasten to send you the
particulars of my connection with the little Book.
About two years ago I met in Mexico City a gentleman by the
name of Sanchez. I understood at that time that he was connected with the
control of Church property by the Mexican Govt.
He found that I was a collector of Indian relics (on a small
scale, of course) and I purchased some small articles from him at that time.
It was on the 28th or 29th of August last, I was in
Chihuahua, Rep. of Mexico, when I again met Mr. Sanchez. I was on my way home
via El Paso.
I spoke to him about general conditions and he asked me if I
was still collecting. He said that he had a small collection of minature (sic)
weapons. I examined them and found that they were of Philapino (sic) origin. I
bought them from him. He then told me of a book that he had and showed it to me.
He left me with the inference that the Book may have come from some church
during the many raids on Church property. I examined the Book very carefully for
any mark that would disclose its ownership. The only mark I found was the name
of a bookbinder on the lower edge of the front cover. The more I examined the
Book the more I liked it. I eventually bought the Book from him for the sum
of fifty dollars.
I was aware of the fact that there was, in the Republic of
Mexico, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Church property being sold to
people from all over the world and that there was not an earthly chance of this
property ever getting back to the Churches. This Book, being a religious book, I
assumed that his inferences were correct. I had, of course, never questioned his honesty.
I arrived home in Oakland on the 2nd of Sept. Of course, I
showed the Book to all my friends, cleric and lay. They all admired it and
everyone suggested that it should be in some institution. I thought at first
that I should present it to my Alma Mater in England. In fact, I had written a
letter to England to that effect. I had not mailed it when a friend suggested
that it should be kept in the U.S.A. Mills College was suggested and I was told
to take it to Mr. Bender of San Francisco. Mr. Bender was a patron of Mills College.
I submitted the Book to them for consideration with the view of purchase by
Mr. Bender for the College. I waited upon
Mr. Bender and we went over the Book very carefully. I pointed out to Mr. Bender
the only mark on the Book. The Binder's name. I told Mr. Bender how I got
the Book.
Mr. Bender approved the purchase by Mills College, and it was
not until the Captain of Police called me that I had any idea the book was a
stolen one.
It was purchased by me innocently and in good faith, and sold
by me in the same good faith.
All things seem to have worked for good, inasmuch as the Book
has again got back to its rightful owners, and I was permitted to be the
instrument of its return.
Very truly yours,
Henry A. Stanley 18
But the Book had not "got back to its rightful owners"—at
least, not by October 11. This fact prompted a letter on that date from Mills
College to: Fine Arts Gallery Director Poland.
Dear Mr. Poland:
We, too, have had letters from Mr. Henry A. Stanley of
Oakland regarding the 15th century "Book of Hours" belonging to Mr. Wangenheim.
l enclose copies of his letters to us. Needless to say, we have had no further
word from him, nor did he send us the money for the book.
You should, however, know that it was through no effort on
the part of Mills College that Mr. Stanley was called to Police Headquarters in
Oakland. Mr. DeWitt, the Oakland bookdealer, who sent him to Mills College, also
read the item in the Publishers' Weekly that caught my eye and reported the
matter to them. At about the same time, I telephoned to Mr. DeWítt to ascertain,
if possible, anything regarding the salesman, as you requested in your wire to me.
Mr. Stanley evidently satisfied the Oakland Police with his
account of his ownership of the book, so I presume that we, too, should all be
satisfied. The important point is that the book is located. I am pleased that we
at Mills happened to see your notice.
Sincerely yours,
Flora B. Ludington
Acting Librarian19
A month passed.
On November 12, Director Poland decided to try again. He wrote to Mr. Stanley
in Oakland:
Dear Sir:
From word received from you we have understood that you would reimburse Mills
College for the Italian Fifteenth Century Book of Hours taken from the
Fine Arts Society (building) of San Diego, California, a short time ago,
which book it was later discovered, belonged to Julius Wangenheim of San Diego.
We have waited to learn of your payment of this amount, $150.00, so that
Mr. Wangenheim, himself, would not have to pay the $150.00.
Trusting to learn just as soon as possible that you have taken care of this
matter so that the man whose book was stolen will not have to lose thereby,
Very truly yours,
Reg. Poland20
Ten days later, November 22, a reply was addressed to Director Poland from a
Jennie Stanley.
Dear Sir:
I am answering your letter to Mr. H. A. Stanley of Nov. 12th,
1930, and wish to say that Mr. Stanley is in Mexico and has been there
for some time and will return here about the 1st week in December. It is rather
difficult to reach him with letters as he is up at the mines. Rest assured from
me that he will attend to the payment of this matter as soon as he returns.
Trusting this explanation will meet with your approval.
Yours sincerely,
Jennie Stanley21
Nearly another month passed by before J. W. received a most
welcome letter.
My dear Mr. Wangenheim:
The money for the now famous Book of Hours reached us late
yesterday via Western Union Telegraph. We are pleased to be able to forward it
to you. It closes an interesting chapter in the history of one book as far as
Mr. Henry A. Stanley and Mills College are concerned. We incurred no particular
expense regarding this book.
I was naturally most curious when the Oakland Police
Department telephoned to me on Monday to ask if we had received the check from
Mr. Stanley. I still wonder whether it was at your instigation or that of the
Book Sellers' Association or if they pursued the matter on their own responsibility.
I hope that you will let us know when you come north again in
order that we can arrange for you to visit Mills College. It will give me great
pleasure to show you our own collection of books.
With cordial best wishes, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Flora B. Ludington
Acting Librarian22
Dec. 17, 1930
¤
That should have tied up the case of the stolen "Book of
Hours" with a neat bow. But a loose end still dangles.
Fine Arts Gallery Director Poland expressed his skepticism to
the Mills College librarian in the early days of the hectic correspondence
regarding the "Book." On October 13, he wrote:
Dear Miss Ludington:
In regard to the letter from Henry A. Stanely, a copy of
which we sent you last week, you will note that he says, speaking of the
purchase of the 15th century "Book of Hours,": "About two months or so ago I
purchased the book from a Mexican gentleman in Chihuahua, Mexico, for the sum of $50.00."
The date of the disappearance of this book from the showcase
in our Gallery was August 30 or August 31. It was offered to you for purchase,
by Mr. Stanley, on October 2nd-not much more than one month after its
disappearance from San Diego. And he states that he had purchased it in
Chihuahua, about two months or so ago. The dates do not seem to agree very well.
There is a discrepancy here which would seem to need accounting for.
Sincerely yours,
(signature)
Director23
NOTES
1. Publishers' Weekly, September27, 1930, p. 1464.
2. Wire from Reginald Poland to Julius Wangenheim, October
3, 1930, copy, Wangenheim Collection, San Diego Historical Society Library and
Manuscripts Collection (Hereinafter cited as SDHS Library).
3. Ibid.
4. Letter from Henry A. Stanley to Miss Toler, October 4,
1930, copy, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Directors' Report, Minutes, Fine Arts Society of San Diego Annual Meeting, 1931.
8. Christian Science Monitor, February 4, 1928,
Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library. San Diego Union, October 2, 1962,
Wangenheim Sundial installed in front of entrance of Natural History Museum,
Balboa Park by Mrs. George Heyneman, daughter of Julius Wangenheim.
9. Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
10. "Julius Wangenheim, An Autobiography," The California
Historical Society Quarterly, XXV (June, 1956), p. 262.
11. San Diego Union, November 16, 1941.
12. Brother of Laura Klauber Wangenheim, Laurence M.
Klauber, Klauber Family History, SDHS Library, p. 3.
13. Letter from Julius Wangenheim to Melville Klauber,
1906, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
14.Minutes, Fine Arts Society Annual Meeting, 1931.
15. Modern Clubwoman, November 1929, SDHS Library.
16. Letter from Robert G. Heyneman (grandson of Julius
Wangenheim) to Trudie Casper, May 31, 1977. The Book of Hours is now safely
ensconced in the Heyneman Library, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
17. Letter from Reginald Poland to Henry A. Stanley,
October 9, 1930, copy, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
18. Letter from Henry A. Stanley to Julius Wangenheim,
October 11, 1930, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
19. Letter from Flora B. Ludington to Reginald Poland,
October 11, 1930, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
20. Letter from Reginald Poland to Henry A. Stanley,
November 12, 1930, copy, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
21.Letter from Jennie Stanley to Reginald Poland, November
22, 1930, copy, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
22. Letter from Flora B. Ludington to Julius Wangenheim,
December 17, 1930, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
23. Letter from Reginald Poland to Flora B. Ludington,
October 13, 1930, copy, Wangenheim Collection, SDHS Library.
*Book of Hours: A book containing the prescribed order of prayers, readings
from Scriptures and rites for canonical hours.
