Earlier this spring, a series of thefts took place at a home (originally reported in the April 4 edition of Antiques And The Arts Weekly). The items stolen were in the attic, cellar and in various covered containers and storage boxes, so that their absence went undetected until the thieves began stealing things that were noticeable inside the home. A group of 20 or so rare China Relief Expedition Boxer Rebellion letters and papers was only discovered missing recently.

The China Relief Expedition Boxer Rebellion Letters and papers were addressed to Sergeant George F. Gammons, 14th Infantry, Company F, Manila, Philippines, and Peking, China, dated 1900‱901. Return addresses would be to his mother and wife, Elinor: P.B. Gammons 119 Howe Street, New Haven, Conn. There were also several dozen Boxer Rebellion bright yellow blank envelopes that read China Relief Expedition and the words “HELLO CHINO” on sheets of blank yellow paper.

As reported previously, also stolen was a large group of Christmas ornaments and Victorian paper goods, including Christmas cards, figural ornaments and Shiny Brites and various common 1930s ornaments in pinks, golds, silver and greens. More than 1,500 ornaments were stolen.

Also taken were some 2,000″,000 postcards addressed to families such as Davis, Sachse, Yale, Knox, Bailey, Sage and Ida Shirell. Many had Connecticut addresses. Subjects included Santas, Easter, Thanksgiving and rare photo postcards, including military. Also stolen was a large group of 1,000 or more 1930s greeting cards, many with the same names as found on the postcards.

Also, a group of 40 1920s era Motion Picture Classic and Shadowland Magazines, 50 small swirl marbles, several small black haired china head dolls, a group of black tourist dolls, a blue 1950s era Tonka toy Volkswagen in mint condition, a red toy steel 10-inch bus from 1930, several dozen 1940s era tablecloths in bright colors, a turkey red table cloth with ferns, several Connecticut Civil War discharge papers, including soldiers Daniel Knox 7th Connecticut Infantry Regiment; Theander G. Norton, 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment; and Nelson Bailey 14th Connecticut Infantry. One Civil War letter was from Private Edward Risley 10th Connecticut Infantry, who died at Andersonville prison.

Several tintype and postcard photos of George Gammons with his wife Elinor, and son Frederick as a small boy are among the items missing. Several dozen World War II letters were addressed to Frederick Gammons, Virginia Sage and postmarked San Francisco, Calif. and New Haven and Meriden, Conn. Many of the paper items may also be postmarked marked Meriden, and Glastonbury, Conn.

Anyone with information on these items is asked to contact Officer Jeremy Busa at the Southington, Police Department at 860-621-0101. A $500 reward is being offered.