Robert Edsel's Blog

German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth accepts two books returned by an American soldier who took them from a salt mine during World War II. (Photo Courtesy of Robert M. Edsel Collection.)

Today I attended a ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. to participate in the return of 2 books to Germany that were taken by a U.S. soldier who discovered them in a German salt mine where they had been placed for safekeeping by German cultural officials. This soldier contacted the Monuments Men Foundation more than two years ago seeking information on the books and their value. We worked diligently over the next 13 months to identify them and the precise mine from which they had been removed. One book was written in Latin; the other in German. They were both more than 400 years old. Accepting both books on behalf of a grateful nation was German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth.

These books are but 2 of hundreds of thousands of books and works of art still missing from the war, some of which were stolen by the Nazis but others “taken”—”liberated”—and in some cases stolen by Allied troops of all sides. Oftentimes these cases had innocent beginnings: a soldier found something during his tour and took it as a souvenir of his wartime experience. Where such cases involve cultural items–works of art, library books, documents, they were taken against direct orders from Generals Eisenhower and Bradley, the latter of whom issued on numerous occasions field wide orders to his troops: “We are a conquering Army, not a pillaging one”. Still, it happened.

One of the greatest obstacles the Monuments Men Foundation frequently must overcome is to explain that items such as these books, or other important documents, are not only NOT SELLABLE, but to do even attempt to do so places the person in possession of them at great risk of prosecution, especially if moving them across state lines. My dad was a veteran: I understand as well as anyone who wasn’t there doing the fighting why items were sometimes taken and the emotional attachment the person who possesses it has to the object. At the same time, I know how important it is to victims of the Nazis murderous theft to have their items returned to them. Oftentimes these missing documents facilitate those returns.

(Photo Courtesy of AP Photo/ Haraz N. Ghanbari.)

I have always succeeded in explaining to the person in possession of such objects how they can demonstrate a different type of valor than that required of the battlefield by working with the Monuments Men Foundation to return these objects. The Foundation does not seek to judge anyone; our focus is to facilitate doing the right thing in the most transparent way possible although we do handle some cases on an anonymous basis depending on circumstances.

No one reveres veterans more than I do. I believe we can never fully repay our debt to anyone who has served in combat to preserve the ideals and freedom we hold so dear. But two Monuments Men died in combat, and more than 60 others risked their lives, trying to preserve the cultural belongings of ALL people—including Germans—against destruction and theft by anyone. They believed that taking or “liberating” cultural belongings made our side no better than those we were trying so desperately to defeat. And for that reason, I openly plea with anyone in the possession of such objects, whether living veterans, their heirs, or someone who has otherwise come into the possession of such objects to contact the Monuments Men Foundation (www.monumentsmenfoundation.org) and work with us to return these important items. It’s the right thing to do.

I spoke at the annual gathering of the Southern Independent Book Association membership this past Friday evening in Greenville, SC.  What a group of passionate and dedicated people!  I had numerous discussions with individuals who told me about their love of books, their passionate commitment to encourage others to read, and most flattering of all their love of the Monuments Men story.  An incredibly literate and very down to earth crowd, I really enjoyed getting to know everyone I met.

Saturday morning I had a taxi driver, a fellow from South Carolina, drop me off at several bookstores to sign my book before taking me to the airport.  On the way there he asked me about what I did, what it was like writing a book, then launched into a bit about his life.  Very affable and sweet, he told me he hadn’t had much education…”books with words longer than 6 letters scare me to death!”…and he then proudly told me how he and his wife had raised 3 kids, put them all through college, one of whom was a librarian, one was a medical technician, and the third was in advertising.  He then said, “I guess I’m kinda pattin’ myself on the back cause me and my wife done pretty good”.  I’ll say.  Great American success stories like this abound when you start listening to others.  Meeting him was a wonderful reminder.