PASSAGE HOME: A MONUMENTAL DAY
January 25th, 2010 | 5:52 pm
Gemaldegalerie Linz Album XIII
Augsburger Geschlechterbuch or “Augsburg Book of Nobles”
On Friday we gathered at the State Department for a ceremony marking the return of two irreplaceable documents, one of which was located by the Monuments Men Foundation. The Gemaldegalerie Linz Album XIII was a prized possession of Hitler and documented German 19th century works of art he had accumulated, both through purchase and theft, for the Fuhrermuseum he planned to build in his hometown. The other document is known as the Augsburger Geschlechterbuch or “Augsburg Book of Nobles” which belongs to the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. While each item was taken by a U.S. Army soldier, the circumstances of their respective returns couldn’t have been more different.
Mr. Robert Edsel, Mr. John Pistone, and Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, and Minister of the Interior for Baden-Wuerttemberg, Heribert Rech
This great occasion also honored one of those veterans, Mr. John Pistone, who upon learning about the importance of the Gemaldegalerie Linz Album agreed to work through the Monuments Men Foundation to ensure its return to Germany. In contrast, the person in possession of the Augsburg Book of Nobles refused to return it and only through years of litigation was it eventually delivered to the State Department.
Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew, Minister Heribert Rech, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth and Mr. Robert M. Edsel
Mr. Robert Edsel, Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, Minister Heribert Rech, and Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew
Ambassador Christian Kennedy, the U.S. Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues hosted the event and introduced each of the speakers after making poignant remarks about the importance of these two items being returned to Germany. His comments were underscored by Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew. Accepting these items was German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, and Heribert Rech, Minister of the Interior for Baden-Wuerttemberg, the state in which Stuttgart is located. Both gentlemen spoke eloquently and candidly about this period of Germany’s history and the commitment Germany has today to doing everything possible to assist those victims of the Nazi era in recovering their stolen belongings. At the same time, they expressed their desire to see items belonging to Germany returned home. Minister Rech had tears in his eyes when he expressed the satisfaction that this important relic of his city’s history was finally going home.
Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, Ambassador Christian Kennedy, and Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew
Each speaker commented on the important role of the Monuments Men during and after World War II and expressed their sincere appreciation for the work of the Monuments Men Foundation in not only preserving their legacy but in helping to locate and return items of such historic importance. After all our hard work, these remarks were quite gratifying to hear. Compliments were also directed to Mr. John Pistone for his role in coming forward to set the example for all veterans and their relatives who, like him, may have some item that was taken during the war that is a cultural object which should be returned. When I first met with Mr. Pistone many months ago, I encouraged him to be a visible presence in the return of this document both to allow him to receive the credit he was due, but also to set the example for others. He graciously agreed. It was a very happy moment for the Monuments Men Foundation team to witness this fine veteran receive such praise in the presence of his family. He later told me it was one of the proudest moments of his life…and that speaks volumes about what we at the Foundation are all about.
Mrs. Verna Pistone and her daughters Joan, Julianne and Laura
Photos courtesy of United States State Department
