Last week, on May 17, we reported that a Norman Rockwell painting stolen from a family in 1976 had been found and returned. But there is more to the story. The picture was insured with Chubb, a well-known insurer of art, antiques, jewelry, other valuable items and more. In the 1970s, Chubb paid the full amount of the insured value, $15,000, to the owners. (Remember, this was 1976, when Rockwell was considered a magazine cover designer, not a talented artist.) Legally, the painting now belongs to Chubb. But they returned the painting to the family for $15,000 and Chubb is donating the money to the Norman Rockwell Museum. The painting, now valued at a million dollars, is in storage while the family decides whether to keep it or sell it. How nice to see an insurance company do more than legally required! As we reported last week, an antiques dealer had owned the painting for several years and recognized it in a government list of stolen items. He called the police knowing that it legally belonged to someone else and that the painting was now worth a lot of money. We hope the dealer is given a reward for his honesty.
What great news that the insurance company did the right thing. Now I hope the family does the right thing and gives the dealer who reported it to police a reward.
I wish we heard this kind of honesty in all dealers and insurers, but when it happens it sure is nice to hear about it.
I think Mr. Rockwell’s paintings make us remember a time when more honesty happened than not. I am so glad it was found for the owners.
It was nice to hear the insurance company could be compassionate to the original owners. That is the best kind of advertising – good will.