The Duke of Wellington Kidnapped! : : the Incredible True Story of the art Theft That Changed a Nation
Book - 2016 364.162 Hi, Adult Book / Nonfiction / True Crime / Hirsch, Alan 2 On Shelf No requests on this item
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Call Number: 364.162 Hi, Adult Book / Nonfiction / True Crime / Hirsch, Alan
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Westgate Branch
| Location & Checkout Length | Call Number | Checkout Length | Item Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout |
364.162 Hi | 4-week checkout | On Shelf |
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Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout |
Adult Book / Nonfiction / True Crime / Hirsch, Alan | 4-week checkout | On Shelf |
"In 1961, a thief broke into the National Gallery in London and committed the most sensational art heist in British history. He stole the museum's much prized painting, The Duke of Wellington by Francisco Goya. Despite unprecedented international attention and an unflagging investigation, the case was not solved for four years, and even then, only because the culprit came forward voluntarily. Kempton Bunton, an elderly gentleman, claimed he executed the theft armed with only a toy gun, a disguise purchased for five shillings, and a getaway car inadvertently provided by a drunkard. Shortly after turning himself in, Bunton also invoked language in an obscure law to maintain his innocence, despite the confession. He did not allege that the confession was false, but rather that stealing the painting did not constitute a crime because he intended to return it. On account of this improbable defense strategy, the story took another twist, resulting in a bizarre courtroom drama and extraordinary verdict. Over fifty years later, Alan Hirsch decided to explore the facts behind this historic case and uncovered shocking new evidence that both solved the crime and deepened the mystery."-- Provided by publisher.
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PUBLISHED
Berkeley, CA : Counterpoint Press, 2016.
Year Published: 2016
Description: 266 pages, 5 unnumbered pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Language: English
Format: Book
ISBN/STANDARD NUMBER
9781619025912
1619025914
SUBJECTS
Goya, Francisco, -- 1746-1828.
Bunton, Kempton, -- 1904-1976.
National Portrait Gallery (Great Britain).
Art thefts -- London.