U.S. court approves lawsuit against Germany over claims of Nazi art theft

[webfact]

U.S. court approves lawsuit against Germany over claims of Nazi art theft

By Joel Schectman

REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge has allowed a lawsuit to proceed against Germany over claims of the Nazi-era theft from Jewish dealers of a celebrated collection of gilded medieval art treasures.

 

It was the first time a U.S. court had agreed to hear Nazi art theft claims against Germany, said Nicholas O'Donnell, an attorney for the heirs of three Jewish art dealers who say the Nazis terrorized their families in 1935 into selling the collection at far below market price.

 

The claim against Germany seeks the return of the Welfenschatz collection, which includes centuries-old gem-studded busts of saints and golden crucifixes.

 

Germany had asked for the case to be thrown out, arguing that a U.S. court did not have jurisdiction to deal with the matter.

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled on Friday, however, in federal court in Washington that since the Nazis’ organised plunder of Jewish property was part and parcel of their later genocide of the Jews - a crime under international law - the court had jurisdiction to hear the case.

 

Germany argued the case had already been heard before a German commission assessing Nazi-era property claims, which found the low sales price was a product of a collapse in the art market during the Great Depression - not because the Jewish art collectors were persecuted.

 

"This is a dispute that was already resolved on the merits in Germany, and it doesn't belong in a U.S. court," Germany's attorney, Jonathan Freiman, said in an email.

 

The Welfenschatz was collected for centuries by the Brunswick Cathedral in Brunswick, Germany, according to court records. In 1929, a group of Jewish art dealers in Germany bought the art from the Duke of Brunswick.

 

Six years later, the dealers sold the art to the state of Prussia, then being administered by prominent Nazi official Hermann Goering. Pressure from the Nazis caused the dealers to sell for just 35 percent of its market value, lawyers for the heirs said.

 

O'Donnell told Reuters in an interview that the money the dealers received was deposited into a bank account they were unable to access because it was blocked by the Nazis.

 

Much of that money was ultimately seized as "flight taxes" by the Nazis who forced Jews to pay exorbitant fees to be allowed to leave Germany.

 

O'Donnell said the transaction was orchestrated by Goering at the behest of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, who discussed in letters their effort to “save the Welfenschatz."

 

A few months after the sale was completed, Goering presented Hitler the Welfenschatz as a “surprise gift” during a ceremony, according to court records.

 

(Reporting by Joel Schectman; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-04-04

[daveAustin]

Nice one. Steal back off them. I'd also like to see the courts rip through Switzerland to recover all that gold.

[Kasset Tak]

And US and UK museums should give back all that they have stolen from around the world; I did see an estimation that somewhere  between 50 and 90% of all foreign artifacts in The Smithsonian Institute and The British Museum are basically stolen, one example of that are all of the Egyptian artifacts.

On the other hand maybe those German families that lost their art, land and so on to the banks during the depression can sue the families of the owners of the banks that took their belongings too if this goes trough; but that might be a problem with that... In the pre-1930's Berlin about 80% of the banks were owned and operated by Jews. That's also one of the reasons that the hate for Jews could grow so quickly in Germany after Hitler came to power.

[sanukjim]

1 hour ago, Kasset Tak said:

And US and UK museums should give back all that they have stolen from around the world; I did see an estimation that somewhere  between 50 and 90% of all foreign artifacts in The Smithsonian Institute and The British Museum are basically stolen, one example of that are all of the Egyptian artifacts.

On the other hand maybe those German families that lost their art, land and so on to the banks during the depression can sue the families of the owners of the banks that took their belongings too if this goes trough; but that might be a problem with that... In the pre-1930's Berlin about 80% of the banks were owned and operated by Jews. That's also one of the reasons that the hate for Jews could grow so quickly in Germany after Hitler came to power.

What a dumb non educated statement.

[Elfin]

36 minutes ago, sanukjim said:

What a dumb non educated statement.

But it is true sanukjim. It does not fit your agenda?

 

[Galactus]

48 minutes ago, sanukjim said:

What a dumb non educated statement.

when reality called dumb:)

there are many stolen or misplaced historical artifacts and remnants stolen from many countries at US and UK museums too.

[maoro2013]

No statute of limitations then, when it suits.

[boomerangutang]

            Where are the artifacts now?  In a German museum?

 

                   It would seem fair, if the forced sale was for 35% of value, that the German government (or whomever has possession now) pay the offspring of the sellers the balance of 65%.  Then the question would be, should % be added?  and should the balance paid be adjusted for current money value?

 

[elgordo38]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Nazi-era property claims, which found the low sales price was a product of a collapse in the art market during the Great Depression - not because the Jewish art collectors were persecuted.

 

Hmm I wonder what caused the collapse in the art market? Oh yeah the Great Depression. 

[Dumbastheycome]

So now  a  US  Court  assumes  jurisdiction over  an international  issue? 

[anon4546543]

So many artifacts and cultural items have been looted from other countries. My father had some gemstones and military Japanese swords. Was it looted? Either way my oldest brother returned it to the Japanese embassy after my father died. Maybe it did get back to the family? Many European and US artworks were looted from other countries or their own native populations . Australia held many Indian art treasures until it was revealed that Australia had purchased them from temple thieves. Britain handed back the beheaded remains of Australian aboriginals years ago but refused to hand back stolen ceremonial and sacred aboriginal art and artifacts. What country or persons can justify this appalling lack of respect for another culture mystifies me. Just give back what you have stolen, no one is asking for a well overdue apology. Most are stored away and no one looks at them anymore anyway. The stolen Greek Elgian? artworks is a point in case. Britain can never be the champion of democracy whilst it holds stolen loot. That Germany now defends works of art stolen by Nazis just goes to show that part of that period still remains in their culture. Maybe Turkish PM is correct. The Swiss. Well who ever claimed that they respected anyones cash or gold. Look the other way with hands out motto is their only culture.

[Scott]

I think we are straying a little off-topic.  

 

Please try to stick a little closer to the issues in the OP.  

 

 

[3NUMBAS]

And non payment of ww2 reperations which runs into billions .They should pay up

[daveAustin]

Some very naive folk on here. Of the Elgin Marbles - and along with numerous other precious artifacts held in the free British Museum that were SAVED or bought - these would almost certainly have been destroyed if they hadn't been removed at the time, having been used for target practise. 

 

Anyway, totally off topic. This is regard the Nazis stealing through terrorizing and/or slaughtering. Get your priorities in order and knock those chips off your shoulders.

Edited April 5, 2017 by daveAustin