[MSN] Jews get robbed AGAIN (what else is new?)

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

________________________________

From: Michel Van Rijn [mailto:info at michelvanrijn.nl] 
Sent: 24 September 2006 13:59
To: MSN (Ton Cremers)
Subject: Jews get robbed AGAIN (what else is new?)
Importance: High



Jews get robbed AGAIN (what else is new?)



 Dear Ton,

Today there is an article in the Sunday Times about the recovery of Nazi
Loot, and a money grabbing, helicopter flying ‘Saint’, living the high life
from the spoils of war. What I read is not about heaps of bodies in mass
graves or being burnt in the ovens. Instead, I read about a man with a
burning desire to capitalize and benefit from the misery and shame of these
atrocities.   

http://tinyurl.com/qszgv

 
Repatriation and recovery of stolen and/or looted artworks is a relative new
phenomenon to the art world. Most of us, with good intentions, are happy
that finally governments and law agencies worldwide have now put this issue
to the top of their agenda’s. Especially in these dark times, now that it is
proven that looted artworks are being converted by terrorists to propagate
their own evil ends. For instance: Mohammed Atta approached a professor at
the University of Göttingen in Germany about selling artifacts. 

The list of defiled countries is endless
 and there is much work to be done


I can think of many African countries, China, Cambodia, the Middle East etc,
the list is long, almost as long as Schindler’s List and that brings me back
to today’s article in the Sunday Times.  

Having been involved in the recuperation of several looted works of the
Adolphe Schloss collection, using my website as a platform, free of charge
OF COURSE, which amongst others resulted in the conviction of British art
dealer Adam Williams for handling a painting by Frans Hals of the Schloss
collection, which btw created a precedent.

My latest recovery being the fabulous golden Moche Headdress for Peru, for
which I personally footed the extensive bill. 

All kind of ‘art detectives’ have jumped the bandwagon in the art recovery
market since it came on the map, from retired New Scotland Yard Detectives
to law firms in New York. Last time I looked, they were not in it because of
their convictions, but because of the lucrative opportunities this money
spinning ‘new business’ created. Luckily there are a few institutions out
there, top of the list of course, the McDonald Institute for Archaeological
Research, with real Saints, working for a pittance, driven by dedication,
such as Dr. Neil Brodie and Jennifer Doole. With sadness I have come to
learn that this prestigious and effective institute is on the brink of
closing down as a result of lack of funds. SHAME!