The mysterious case of the stolen “Humpty Dumpty” has been cracked.
Artist Paul Lotz said Wednesday that the honorable mention sculpture stolen June 23 from a Fine Arts Exhibit shelf at the San Diego County Fair has been found.
The 15-20-pound statue that received an honorable mention was perched on a display case shelf in the grandstand area when it disappeared between 9:30 and 10 p.m.
Via email Wednesday, Lotz said: “A Good Samaritan has found my Humpty Dumpty at Kobey’s Swap Meet and wants to return it.”
“It renewed my faith in people that it was returned,” the University Heights resident told Channel 8 this afternoon.
“Whoever did take it, I don’t know, so shame on you, but he came back, so I am happy,” Lotz continued.
Fair spokeswoman Shawn Feisst, informed of the find, told Times of San Diego: “I think it’s amazing that our Humpty Dumpty has turned up again and is going to be reunited with its owner.”
She noted again that surveillance footage had not shown a suspect.
“I think [the camera] was at the wrong angle or something,” she said.
But she was excited about the artwork, worth thousands of dollars, being returned to its owner.
“Thanks a lot for letting us know,” she said. “I’m going to make sure everyone in the fairgrounds know that Humpty Dumpty’s been found.”
Last month, artist Lotz cracked jokes about the theft, saying: “Some bad egg chose to ruin it” and “My mind is scrambled that someone poached my egg.”
Another of his pieces — “Counting Sheep,” a bronze sculpture of a moon with sleeping sheep — was awarded Best of Show.
