The Map Thief
Synopsis
E. Forbes Smiley III stole more than 70 maps from the New York Public Library over several years before his arrest for theft.
Synopsis
David Ferriero, the Archivist of the United States, introduces a discussion on E. Forbes Smiley III, an antiquarian map dealer who stole over 70 maps from institutions like the New York Public Library and Yale University. Author Michael Blanding recounts Smiley's dual life, revealing how he exploited his standing in the rare map community to commit theft. The documentary details the competitive nature of map collecting and culminates in Smiley's arrest for removing maps from books in the Yale library.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet E. Forbes Smiley, the notorious map thief.
- Find out how map theft affects cultural heritage.
- See the consequences of betrayal in libraries.
Did You Know
- E. Forbes Smiley III stole over 70 maps from the New York Public Library.
- One map was stolen twice from Yale, first in the '70s and then by Smiley.
- David Ferriero was the Director of Libraries at the New York Public Library during Smiley's thefts.
- Smiley colored a rare map and displayed it on his website, claiming it was a different version.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is E. Forbes Smiley III?
E. Forbes Smiley III is a map thief who stole more than 70 maps from the New York Public Library over many years.
What significant event is associated with the map stolen from Yale?
The map, which depicts colonists and Native Americans fighting, was stolen twice from Yale, first in the '70s by another thief and then again by Smiley.
What is the title of Harold Holzer's new book discussed at the National Archives?
Harold Holzer's new book is titled 'Lincoln and the Power of the Press: The War for Public Opinion.'
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