The Personal Property Appraisers Post

My name is Robert M. Edsel, founder of the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art (www.monumentsmenfoundation.org), 2007 recipient of the National Humanities Medal. I am also the author of The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History.

Mr. Jerry Sampson has written a very thoughtful inquiry about the challenges faced by professional appraisers in dealing with items that may have been stolen during World War II or possibly "liberated" by Western Allied troops. The Monuments Men Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization, receives inquiries almost every day from heirs of soldiers and others who have a concern about an item in their possession. A key part of the Mission Statement of the Foundation is to advise people and help illuminate the path home for any items that do not belong to the person possessing it.

Various guidelines exist to assist museums and others about works of art. Simply put, owners should know where their items were during the years 1933-1946, oftentimes referred to as the "gap" period. Items "liberated" by troops are a particular area of concern, especially when they involve any item considered cultural property. Generally speaking, this would exclude knives, guns, swastikas, etc.

Hundreds of thousands of works of art, library books, documents, and other cultural treasures remain missing from World War II. Our organization remains ready to assist all people of good will in determining the correct provenance of items affected by the war and in so doing, helping complete the mission of these great heroes of civilization---the Monuments Men and women.

We would be pleased to assist Mr. Sampson or any members of your organization. I encourage your members to visit our website and learn more about our work.

Robert M. Edsel
President
Monuments Men Foundation