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It all started with an art heist...
March 18, 1990, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist
Stolen:
- The Concert – Vermeer (Dutch artist)
- Éduardo Manet
- 3 Rembrandt's
- 5 pen & pencil Degas drawings
- Bird Finial
- Flinck painting
- Chinese Gu
September 21, 1991, Robert Donati is murdered by the mafia because of the art heist (learn more here). He was discovered murdered on September 24th.
(13 days later)
October 7, 1991, James Bourlet & Sons in London warehouse art storage fire. That burns over 100+ million art and collectibles (1990s value). Including a great majority of FrEDerick R. Koch's belongings. (learn more here). Fire remains unsolved.
(2-3 weeks later)
November 1991, Stranger calling himself "Ed Koch" arrives in Mary's life selling her artwork by master artist. Saying the damage on the artwork is from it being saved from a fire at an art storage warehouse. Sharing stories about a lavish lifestyle and lawsuits with a twin brother (learn more here).
Sold to Mary:
- Vincent van Gogh painting (Dutch artist)
- Éduardo Manet
- 4 Picasso's
- 5 pen & pencil Alexander Calder drawings
- 3 Bird paintings
- Jim Cassel print (of a man seated looking at a painting)
- Several other pieces including pieces never photographed
Frederick R. Koch's mother's name is Mary. She passed away eleven months prior to Mr. Koch arriving in Mary's life and selling her artwork.
1994 someone writes a letter to the museum in attempt to return the artwork. They discuss the artwork was being held in another country and could be purchased by a buyer if they did not know they were stolen they could get full legal ownership of the pieces. Showing knowledge of international art trading laws. Suzanne's Miami research found Ed Koch at a company called "International Art Trading".
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