Art recovery expert to sign new book in Boyertown Sunday

A retired FBI special agent who sounds a bit like Dan Brown's art-sleuthing main character Robert Langdon in "The Da Vinci Code" will be stopping by Greshville Antiques and Fine Art to sign his new TRUE-life book this Sunday.

Robert Wittman, formerly of the FBI's Philadelphia Field Division and now a fine art "recoverer," will sign his new book, “PRICELESS: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures,” at Greshville Antiques and Fine Art, 1041 Reading Ave. (Route 562), Boyertown, on Sunday, June 27.

The book was written with Philadelphia Inquirer reporter John Shiffman.

The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., during which time Wittman will be available to discuss his book and to sign a personal copy for those attending.

Books will be available for purchase at a discount off the retail price at the book signing.

Per his website, http://www.robertwittmaninc.com/, Wittman joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988 and was assigned to the Philadelphia Field Division. As a result of specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry and gem identification, he served as the FBI’s investigative expert in this field. During his 20 year career with the FBI he recovered more that $225 million worth of stolen art and cultural property resulting in the prosecution and conviction of numerous individuals. In 2005, he was instrumental in the creation of the FBI’s rapid deployment Art Crime Team. He was named as the ACT’s Senior Investigator and instructed the team members in how to conduct cultural property investigations. He has represented the United States around the world conducting investigations and instructing international police and museums in investigation, recovery and security techniques.

He is based in Chester Heights, PA.

To pre-order a copy of the book, or for more information, call Valerie Malmberg at Greshville Antiques and Fine Art at 610-367-0076.

***UPDATE: June 24: Wittman's book is being developed into a feature film. Check out the June 23 Variety article about GK Films' deal here.***