[Intro originally published in March 2013] A few weeks ago we visited Yukon, the famous historic mansion in Bez Valley. The owners, Henry and Loretta, gave us an overview of the mystery and intrigue behind the disappearance of the house's hugely significant stained glass windows. It would be fantastic if we could find them and bring them home to South Africa. Below is a brilliant article from the Saturday Star (1993) that gives some background to the saga.
What has happened to the stunningly beautiful historic stained glass windows that disappeared from a national monument in Johannesburg? That's the mystery worrying the National Monuments Council, which has laid a charge of theft with the police. The windows are said to be worth R200 000.
The monument is a house in Bezuidenhout Valley, eastern Johannesburg, which dates back to the turn of the century and was once the residence of at least two mayors of the booming gold-mining town. The current owner, Michael Bloom, is offering R10 000 reward to anyone who can locate his windows which went missing five years ago. Bloom discovered in September last year that the precious windows of his legendary mansion, Yukon, had been stolen. Yukon is a large symmetrical, double-storey house and is built partially with stone from the koppie on which it rests. Although the exterior is imposing enough, the interior is of even greater importance. There are handsome floor tiles, fireplaces, wood panelling, a wooden staircase and interesting plaster mouldings. The pride of the house...
