Package Addressed to Indiana Jones to be Displayed at The Oriental Institute

Package Addressed to Indiana Jones to be Displayed at The Oriental Institute

In December, the College admissions office received a mysterious package addressed to Henry Walton Jones, Jr.--better known as Indiana Jones (AB'22), one of the University's more famous, albeit fictional, alumni. The package, which included a handwritten journal as well as notes and photographs from Raiders of the Lost Ark, attracted quite a bit of media attention until the mystery was solved. Paul Charfauros, who makes replica journals, sold the prop to a collector on Ebay, and while in transit the outer envelope was separated from the package addressed to Indy. Believing the package to be real, the post office added the correct zip code and sent it to the University. Upon learning of the mix-up, Charfauros donated the prop.

The package and its contents will be on display at the Oriental Institute. Chief curator Jack Green joked that the collectible belonged in a museum because, after all, "Maybe it contains information our scholars need." The exhibit, dubbed "Raiders of the Lost Journal," will run until March 31, when the package will be retired to the archives.

January 22, 2013