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MOSCOW, Aug 8, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Russian cultural officials Tuesday announced the discovery of the theft of architectural drawings from Moscow's State Literary and Art Archives.
The federal service for the protection of cultural heritage said scores of architectural works by Soviet-era architect Yakov Chernikhov were missing, but couldn't say how many, as the inventory was still under way, the Novosti news agency reported.
Before Chernikov died in 1951, he was considered one of the most innovative architects of his time and was the author of a series of avant-garde art books.
The service said before making the announcement, 274 Chernikhov drawings worth $1.3 million had already been recovered from antique markets in Russia and abroad, and records showed nine Chernikhov drawings had been auctioned at Christie's in London in June.
The news came as officials in St. Petersburg held three people for the theft of 221 Russian artifacts from the Hermitage Museum.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
