Harold Smith (detective)
Encyclopedia
Harold Smith was a noted investigator
and detective.
Smith represented Lloyds of London and many other insurance companies for over 50 years, specializing in fine-art and jewelry theft. He also was a security consultant for leading jewelers, museums and art galleries in the United States and overseas, including Sotheby's
, Christie’s, the Smithsonian, and the Getty Museum.
Among his cases were the largest gold robbery in the history of the United States and the master theft of 13 paintings from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
in 1990, which included a remarkable Vermeer, “The Concert.”
Smith, who had an unusual appearance in latter years - an eyepatch and rubber nose as a result of skin cancer
- was featured in the 2005 documentary film Stolen
. The film was dedicated to Smith’s memory. Ulrich Boser's 2009 book, The Gardner Heist, gives an in-depth recounting of the many leads Smith followed in his investigation of the stolen paintings. In passing, it also provides biographical details about Harold Smith himself.
Born in the South Bronx
, Smith attended local Catholic schools and then the Merchant Marine Academy
in New York. After the Second World War he became an insurance adjuster for Lloyd's. It was while working in merchant shipping that Smith contracted a dry-skin condition and allowed himself to be subjected to experimental treatments. Smith was covered with oil and exposed to full-body ultraviolet light, which developed into skin cancer throughout his body. Eventually he lost a lung, his right eye and finally his nose, along with all sense of smell.
He was the father of eight children.
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
and detective.
Smith represented Lloyds of London and many other insurance companies for over 50 years, specializing in fine-art and jewelry theft. He also was a security consultant for leading jewelers, museums and art galleries in the United States and overseas, including Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
, Christie’s, the Smithsonian, and the Getty Museum.
Among his cases were the largest gold robbery in the history of the United States and the master theft of 13 paintings from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum or Fenway Court, as the museum was known during Isabella Stewart Gardner's lifetime, is a museum in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, located within walking distance of the Museum of Fine Arts and near the Back Bay Fens...
in 1990, which included a remarkable Vermeer, “The Concert.”
Smith, who had an unusual appearance in latter years - an eyepatch and rubber nose as a result of skin cancer
Skin cancer
Skin neoplasms are skin growths with differing causes and varying degrees of malignancy. The three most common malignant skin cancers are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises...
- was featured in the 2005 documentary film Stolen
Stolen (film)
Stolen is an 2010 mystery–thriller film directed by Anders Anderson and starring Josh Lucas and Jon Hamm.-Plot:A small-town policeman works to uncover the truth behind two crimes: the disappearance of his son eight years earlier, and a fifty year old homicide of another boy. In the opening...
. The film was dedicated to Smith’s memory. Ulrich Boser's 2009 book, The Gardner Heist, gives an in-depth recounting of the many leads Smith followed in his investigation of the stolen paintings. In passing, it also provides biographical details about Harold Smith himself.
Born in the South Bronx
South Bronx
The South Bronx is an area of the New York City borough of The Bronx. The neighborhoods of Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge, Morrisania, Soundview, Hunts Point, and Castle Hill are sometimes considered part of the South Bronx....
, Smith attended local Catholic schools and then the Merchant Marine Academy
Merchant Marine Academy
Merchant Marine Academy may refer to:*Philippine Merchant Marine Academy*United States Merchant Marine Academy...
in New York. After the Second World War he became an insurance adjuster for Lloyd's. It was while working in merchant shipping that Smith contracted a dry-skin condition and allowed himself to be subjected to experimental treatments. Smith was covered with oil and exposed to full-body ultraviolet light, which developed into skin cancer throughout his body. Eventually he lost a lung, his right eye and finally his nose, along with all sense of smell.
He was the father of eight children.