If you’re doing some spring cleaning, and you come across a strange old weathervane, you might want to make sure it wasn’t stolen.
Earlier this year, a town in France could finally put an old mystery to bed. Back in 1999, the town’s golden weathervane mysteriously vanished, but back in January, the thief was found.
They were actually ID’d because of the credit card they used to mail it back, and since they were voluntarily returning it, the town didn’t pursue charges. (Also, it would’ve been beyond the statute of limitations.)
Now, yet another long-lost weathervane has been found. Back in 1983, two thieves used ladders and ropes to ascend the rooftop of the train depot in White River Junction in Vermont, and steal its historic weathervane.
For 40 years, the mystery remained uncracked, but earlier this month, it was returned after it was unearthed by Sotheby’s. They said it was discovered in the estate of a collector of Americana named Martin Shack.
It’s unclear how he got it, but there’s a good chance he didn’t know it was stolen. Collectors who know they own stolen art do not list it for sale with a major auction house because it would be easily traced back.
A new permanent home hasn’t been picked, but local officials want to choose a public place where it could be seen and appreciated.
(VTDigger)
