Brass letters lifted from the entrance sign at the Provincial Archives of Alberta in a brazen theft last weekend will cost about $22,000 to replace, Edmonton police say.

Police believe the 27 letters outside the building at 8555 Roper Road in southeast Edmonton were stolen either Saturday or Sunday.

Each letter was 12 inches tall and eight inches wide and made of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc.

All that remains of the lettering on the sign. (Sam Martin/CBC)