The sculptures were taken from The Old Vicarage, a 17th century house in Grantchester and could be melted down by the thugs who could expect to get hundreds for their efforts
Burglars are alleged to have broken into the 17th century home of best-selling author Jeffrey Archer while he and his wife were asleep.
The thugs reportedly stole four bronze sculptures from the couple’s back garden in Grantchester, Cambridgeshire. It is understood that the sculptures were worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Lord Archer, who penned novels including Honour Among Thieves, said one of the most upsetting things to him was that the sculptures would be destroyed to be sold as lumps of bronze. One of the sculptures was created by Brit sculptor Maurice Lambert.
“The saddest thing is that, according to the police, the thieves will almost certainly melt down the sculptures and the bronze will be worth just a few hundred pounds,” Lord Archer told the Daily Mail. Speaking about the Lambert work, called Oceanides, the author continued: “Sir Nicholas Serota, when he was director of the Tate Gallery, told me that it was a very important piece, so I had left it in my will to the Tate, so that it could be enjoyed by thousands of people after my death. Sadly, that won’t happen now.”
“The police have been very good, and came immediately, but the gang clearly knew what they were doing,” he continued. “They had the professional equipment to remove the sculptures.”
Police believe the sculptures will be melted down for hundreds of pounds. The Mirror has contacted a representative for Lord Archer and Cambridgeshire Police for comment.
The garden has previously been the target of burglars who have stolen other sculptures from the property. In 2007, a 6ft bronze stature of a naked shepherd herding sheep was stolen.
It was believed to have been worth tens of thousands of pounds. Lord Archer, 84, was previously the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. He has also spoken of his affection for The Old Vicarage where both his sons were born.
He said of the Grade II-listed property: “It’s quite beautiful.” Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited the property every summer for 11 following her exit from Downing Street. A top-floor room has since been renamed the “Margaret Thatcher bedroom.”
