A van and trailer filled with $895,000 in pictures by a nationally renowned photographer were stolen after she exhibited her work at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
Photos by Barbara F. Gundle of Portland, Ore., including limited-edition portraits and scenes from around the world, filled the van and trailer, said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson.
It is not known whether the thief or thieves understood how valuable the pictures are, Jackson said.
Gundle had left the van and trailer in a hotel parking lot at 6201 Tower Road to fly back to Portland between art shows, said Terry Adams, director of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
When she returned to Denver on July 14 to drive to her next show in Michigan, the van and trailer were gone, Jackson said.
The van is a blue and white 1998 Ford Econoline 350 with a high top and an extended body.
The Oregon license plate is XDK132.
The theft took place between July 5 and July 14, Jackson said.
Gundle’s photographs range in price from around $350 to $1,200 each, Adams said.
“She exhibits at a lot of top shows around the country,” Adams said. “She is one of many high-quality artists in the country.”
People who think they may have bought the stolen pieces should contact police, Jackson said.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
