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Author
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Topic: Signed photo of Columbia crew stolen from eatery
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-13-2004 09:17 AM
   
From the Houston Chronicle: quote:
Of all the things to steal from Frenchie's restaurant in Clear Lake, someone had to take perhaps the item with the most sentimental value to its owner and the NASA community.Owner Frankie Camera said a thief stole an autographed photo of the shuttle Columbia crew they had given the restaurant days before departing on their ill-fated mission.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/space/2567000 -- If you haven't had the chance to dine yet at Frenchie's, it is a great Italian restaurant nearby to JSC with astronaut signed photos lining their walls. Assuming the thief has designs on selling the stolen STS-107 signed photo, we should all be on the watch for any new offers for the rare autographs. If you have a serious lead, Frenchie's can be reached at 281-486-7144. |
pokey
Member Posts: 361
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-13-2004 10:00 AM
Unless it had something distinctive about it I really don't have much hope on singling it out. Chances are it was sigs on a NASA glossy. As a Houstonian, I will be on the lookout for things I won't post here. :-( |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 05-13-2004 10:16 AM
That's really sad. Some people have no conscience. |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 05-13-2004 11:51 AM
I just talked to Frankie Camera, owner of Frenchie's restaurant. I asked him if the picture had any distinguishing inscription and he said yes it did. He told me it was OK for me to post the information here. As he recalls, the inscription reads: "To Frankie - from the STS-107 crew" He is currently attempting to obtain a photo of it from the Houston Chronicle, as they photographed it in his restaurant following the tragedy. |
ASCAN1984
Member Posts: 1049
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-13-2004 01:22 PM
This is so discusting. What a terrible act. I will pray tonight that the photograph appears/turns up and frenchies gets it back imediately. What a wonderful gift the was given. I know how i would feel if i had something like that. If the theif is reading this i hope that you realise what pain you have caused and you do the right thing.Gareth |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 05-13-2004 01:31 PM
Good thing it is an 'inscribed' photograph !
That makes it recognizable at least ...
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Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 05-13-2004 01:55 PM
An image of the missing signed crew photo (center) on the Houston Chronicle website (Associated Press photo)[Edited by collectSPACE Admin (January 09, 2007).] |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 05-13-2004 02:05 PM
O.K. Scott ... it looks like it is a LITHO |
apollo11lem5@aol.com
unregistered
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posted 05-13-2004 02:07 PM
What a shame. I sure hope the photo is recovered. Whenever I "display" a valuable photo like that I always go to Staples and have a 99 cent laserjet color photocopy made on heavy cardstock. Once it is framed ,it looks exactly like the original and if stolen I have only lost an easily replaced photocopy and cheap frame. I hope all turns out well for Frenchy. ...Donald Brady |
denem
Member Posts: 141
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 05-13-2004 02:09 PM
well, the thief will never be able to sell it as long as it has the inscription on it. surely one of us would recognize it immediately if the thief put it on auction. i think it will re-surface unless the thief just wants to add it to his/her collection indefinitely. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-13-2004 06:21 PM
The thief could remove the inscription by cutting the border, or just the top edge, of the litho off - so I would suggest being on the lookout for anything suspiciously cropped in that way, too.FF |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-13-2004 07:44 PM
I have a sad feeling this was nothing more than an opportunist thing by some misguided soul who simply wanted to own a piece of American history, like art thieves who just want to own the danged thing and hide their treasures under their bed. I don't think it will emerge on the market for probably another generation, as the thief will surely know that it is traceable through the inscription, and he won't be able to display it at home. Not too many people know that the crews routinely sent out hundreds of these for each flight (albeit less in later years). |
fabfivefreddy
Member Posts: 1067
From: Leawood, Kansas USA
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 05-16-2004 11:14 PM
There is always a chance it will show up. I have seen people caught trying to sell stolen items on ebay and other auctions.
Thanks to Robert for alerting us all.
This is another reason to photocopy your collection-it can be proven that an item was stolen because all the sigs will match perfectly and provide the proof you need.
You can also mark your collection in secret ways that only you know about to aid in theft recovery. I sure hope this item turns up!
Tahir |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-19-2004 02:55 PM
$1000 reward offered for photo's return
By: JENNIFER THOMAS, Citizen Staff
quote:
A $1,000 reward has been offered for the safe return of the autographed picture of the last Columbia crew that was stolen from Frenchie's Restaurant last week."It's really upsetting to me - my God - I'm very attached to this thing," said Frankie Camera, co-owner and operator of the popular Italian restaurant in the heart of Clear Lake. Camera said it's not the loss of the material possession that saddens him, it's the loss of what he calls "part of your heart." Harris County Constable Bill Bailey is offering the reward for both the return of the picture, and for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief. The picture of the seven astronauts who died on Feb. 1 of 2003 was signed "To Frankie," and stood out among the hundreds of sentimental pictures that line the walls of the restaurant. It was for this reason that its absence was noticed so quickly. Camera said the picture was likely stolen on Saturday night, May 8. "I wish they had stolen my wallet and not my picture," he said. Anyone with information should contact Constable Bill Bailey's office at 281-479-2525 or 281-488-4040. Or if the thief is reading this, "Just bring it back," said Camera. "No questions asked."
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-05-2007 06:14 PM
A simple handwritten sign now hangs in Frenchie's over the spot on the wall where the STS-107 crew-signed lithograph used to be until it was stolen in 2004: it happily reports that the inscribed photo was returned in November 2006. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-05-2007 06:24 PM
Glad to hear there was a happy ending. Any idea how the photo was recovered? Or did the thief just return it out of guilt?[Edited by mjanovec (January 05, 2007).] |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-05-2007 07:43 PM
Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to inquire about the details when I was there, but I will. It's as good a excuse to have their excellent chicken crepes again... |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 01-05-2007 10:40 PM
I, too, am glad the picture was returned. I had a similar experience when one of my medallions was stolen. I didn't think I would ever see it again. Fortunately, the thief had a guilty conscience and returned it several days later. Randy |
Novaspace
Member Posts: 434
From: Tucson, AZ USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 01-06-2007 02:34 PM
For those who don't know, Frenchy's has been in Clear Lake since the Apollo days (maybe before?), and being Italian food, was a favorite hangout for Alan Bean ("Y'know I'z the first guy ta eat spaghetti on the MUNE!")
Kim Poor |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-09-2007 01:05 PM
I had lunch at Frenchie's today, where a group of ESA and U.S. astronauts were dining as well... but I digress, and inquired about the returned photo. On the morning of November 22, 2006, when they arrived to bake bread, they found it inside an unmarked envelope that had been slipped under their door while they were closed. As they had said that they would accept its return "no questions asked," they aren't asking any questions. They are just very grateful to have it back with them... |
dss65
Member Posts: 1156
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 01-09-2007 08:59 PM
Contrary to what some modern folks might say, a little guilt can be a good thing. Score one for the good side of humanity....------------------
Don |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-09-2007 11:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I had lunch at Frenchie's today, where a group of ESA and U.S. astronauts were dining as well... but I digress, and inquired about the returned photo.
And how were the chicken crepes?  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-10-2007 12:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
And how were the chicken crepes?
Opted for the lasagna, though my lunch guest had the crepes. Both are excellent and I would highly recommend the restaurant to any fan of astronauts and great Italian cuisine... |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 01-10-2007 03:33 AM
Back in September '04 I went to Frenchies before giving a talk on the Fallen Astronauts at the then-new Theodore C. Freeman Library in Clear Lake. My guests that day were Jeannie Bassett, her daughter Karen and son-in-law Philip; Ted Freeman's sister Anne and her husband Bill, and Ted's daughter Faith.The owner chatted to us and after finding out who the ladies said he was honoured to have them in his restaurant. After our meal (I had the Alan Bean spaghetti), he proudly showed us the photos on his wall. I have to admit I felt sad to se that many of the photos and signatures were really badly faded through being displayed in ordinary glass frames on the walls. But heck - the place just drips with history, hospitality and great food. Colin |
Moonwalker1954
Member Posts: 245
From: Montreal, Canada
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 01-10-2007 09:28 AM
I find it kind of odd that a restaurant called "Frenchie's" is specialized in Italian cuisine! I'm glad for the happy ending, though. Pierre-Yves |
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