Sqeggs Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 From an AP story: SPARTA, N.J. — Police say a handyman stole over $200,000 worth of comic books and artwork from a New Jersey homeowner before fleeing to Italy. Sparta police Lt. John Lamon said Monday the theft happened earlier this year when a 64-year-old handyman from Brooklyn, New York, was hired to repair a New Jersey home that had sustained water damage. Sparta police say Francesco Bove made off with $239,000 in comic memorabilia from the unoccupied home. Authorities say the homeowner reported the theft after a friend told him his pieces were on the market. Investigators say Bove sold multiple pieces from the collection before travelling to Italy. Authorities say the homeowner has since located most of his stolen art. Police say Bove is believed to be in the New York area. A phone number to contact him couldn't be immediately located. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comicjack Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I hope they turned him into Italian sausage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkkentdds Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I know a prominent collector (who used to be on the boards) that lives in Jersey... Hope it's not him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gotham Kid Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Why Davis Crippen ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comicnoir Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Before the Crippen collection came to market after his death, it was found out the previous Crippen books, known as "D" copies, that had been released through Metro, were books stolen by a contractor working at the Crippen household. Senormac and Gotham Kid 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heronext Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 https://www.mail-archive.com/mopo-l@listserv.american.edu/msg13618.html Gotham Kid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gotham Kid Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 (edited) 11 minutes ago, xomic said: https://www.mail-archive.com/mopo-l@listserv.american.edu/msg13618.html Thanks ! I know of the Davis Crippen pedigree but wasn't aware of the backstory. Edited October 10, 2017 by Gotham Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gotham Kid Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 There's an early Detective from that collection coming to auction. I just might have a go at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sqeggs Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 I had forgotten that Richie M. got some of the books from the contractor. I had remembered them as all having gone through Metro. Coincidentally, I just received this book back from CGC a few weeks ago (bought raw off the boards). For some reason, CGC gave it the old "D" copy label note. Mr. Lady Luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sqeggs Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 17 minutes ago, Gotham Kid said: There's an early Detective from that collection coming to auction. I just might have a go at it. There are a lot of early 1950s romance books where the Crippen copy is by far the best, sometimes one of the very few known copies. Probably because he was in New York, he was able to buy St John books that weren't always available to Church in Denver. 1950's war comics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCooper Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Could this be the same Francesco Bove? (see link below) Dog incident in 2015 says age is 62. Comic theft incident in 2017, age is 64. Both from Brooklyn. 2015 article says occupation is "artist and restoration expert". 2017 says handyman. http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/12/us/new-york-pit-bull-attacks/index.html aardvark88 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1950's war comics Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Interesting and excellent thread........ ComicConnoisseur and FoggyNelson 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Baru Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) 18 hours ago, Sqeggs said: I had forgotten that Richie M. got some of the books from the contractor. I had remembered them as all having gone through Metro. Coincidentally, I just received this book back from CGC a few weeks ago (bought raw off the boards). For some reason, CGC gave it the old "D" copy label note. Funny cover . Sad situation the home owner found himself in. Edited October 11, 2017 by Lucky Baru 1950's war comics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
