HUPD Finds Adams' Bust, Demands Prompt Return

The bust of John Adams, class of 1755, stolen six years ago from the Adams House Senior Common Room, has been found, according to Dennis Maloney, a Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) detective.

The police do not, however, have the bust in their possession. According to Maloney, it remains in the hands of a third party he would not name.

Maloney would neither confirm nor deny whether the bust is on campus, though he did say, "I think the person that took it probably doesn't go to school here anymore."

Maloney also declined to discuss whether or not the bust was found in the possession of an undergraduate organization.

According to Maloney, the HUPD will wait until midnight on Thursday night for whomever is in possession of the bust to return it either to HUPD headquarters or Adams House before charging anyone with theft. No questions will be asked if the bust is returned before the deadline, he said.

"Either it's a prank or it's not a prank, and if not, we'll apply for a search warrant and the person [in possession] will be charged if they are in possession of the bust," Maloney said.

According to Victoria R. Macy, assistant to the house master in Adams, the bust's disappearance from the library was noticed by House Master Robert J. Kiely in the early '90s after he and his wife returned from a sabbatical.

After a thorough search of the house, the bust was deemed stolen.

"It was sitting...unsecured in a sort of niche," Macy said. "Mr. Kiely and the Fogg Museum will be thrilled [when they hear that it was found]. It was sort of on permanent loan to us."

The bust of President Adams' head and torso by J.B. Binon was given to Harvard in 1819 for the College's Philosophy Room by the Hon. John Davis. It measures approximately 66 cm by 50 cm. The plaster itself is very light, oney said, which may have facilitated its removal from the library.

"It's not really of any value," Macy said.

But despite its minimal monetary value--the bust was appraised at about $5,000, according to Maloney--the bust has a distinct place in the history of the University, as well as strong sentimental value for many Adams House residents.

"It is important that we do everything we can to recover this piece," said Sandra Grindlay, curator of the University portrait collection, in a letter to Macy. "This work is...noteworthy for the importance of the sitter, the few pieces which survive by the artist, its place among the earliest sculptures to come to Harvard and its place in the development of the University's collections."

When asked if HUPD was concerned that those who have the bust might try to hide or move it, Maloney said he thought that was unlikely.

"We've taken that into consideration, but we figure that most people are going to follow their conscience and do the right thing," he said.

New information in the case developed after renewed efforts by HUPD and Macy to distribute a picture of the sculpture to Adams House residents and other house masters and pressed them for information about its disappearance, Maloney said

"It's not really of any value," Macy said.

But despite its minimal monetary value--the bust was appraised at about $5,000, according to Maloney--the bust has a distinct place in the history of the University, as well as strong sentimental value for many Adams House residents.

"It is important that we do everything we can to recover this piece," said Sandra Grindlay, curator of the University portrait collection, in a letter to Macy. "This work is...noteworthy for the importance of the sitter, the few pieces which survive by the artist, its place among the earliest sculptures to come to Harvard and its place in the development of the University's collections."

When asked if HUPD was concerned that those who have the bust might try to hide or move it, Maloney said he thought that was unlikely.

"We've taken that into consideration, but we figure that most people are going to follow their conscience and do the right thing," he said.

New information in the case developed after renewed efforts by HUPD and Macy to distribute a picture of the sculpture to Adams House residents and other house masters and pressed them for information about its disappearance, Maloney said