Holocaust-Era Assets

Military Agency Records

Theaters of Operations

Records of U.S. Occupation Headquarters, World War II (RG 260)

Records Concerning the Central Collecting Points (“Ardelia Hall Collection”) [Note 44]

Originally there were numbers of temporary collecting points in which all cultural objects found in the United States Zone in need of preservation or suspected of having been looted by the Germans were stored. By 1946, there were only four of these temporary facilities, at Munich, Wiesbaden, Marburg, and Offenbach. After June 15, 1946, when the Marburg Central Collecting Point was closed, the remaining three central collecting points became specialized. the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point held mostly German-owned material, especially that of the former Prussian State Museums, the Städel Institute of Frankfurt, and the local museums of Wiesbaden, plus a certain amount of internal loot (material confiscated from German nationals) and objects subject to restitution. At its height, this installation contained approximately 700,000 objects. The Munich Central Collecting Point specialized largely in materials subject to restitution, although in addition it contained materials of the Bavarian State Museums. At its height this central collecting point had in excess of a million objects. The third of the specialized central collecting points, known as the Offenbach Archival Depot, was devoted primarily to Jewish materials, books, and archives.

The Offenbach Archival Depot was closed in June 1949, and both the Munich and Wiesbaden Central Collecting Points were closed in August 1951, although some cultural objects continued to be stored at the Munich and Wiesbaden facilities under U.S. control, and residual restitution authority for these objects was exercised by the Office of Public Affairs of HICOG.

OMGUS HEADQUARTERS RELATING TO THE CENTRAL COLLECTING POINTS [M1941, Rolls 1–45]

General Records, 1938–1948 (A1, Entry 488) [M1941, Rolls 1–31]

Arranged by general subject or by type of record.

This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, reports, and other forms of documentation relating to a wide variety of subjects. The most prominent subjects include: General information on German fine arts, status of German monuments and museums, planning of the occupational monuments and fine arts program, and German art looting activities during the war.

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
1–2, 4	Dissolution of the NSDAP [Nazi Party], 1945 Control of works of art in Germany, 1945 Personnel, 1945 Goldcup; Safehaven Reports, 1945–1946
2–4	German administration of fine arts, 1942–1945 Relations with other headquarters, 1945–1946 Reports by monuments and fine arts personnel, 1945
4	Organizational and policy planning, 1944–1945
5	Seventh Army, USFET [United States Forces, European Theater], 1945–1946
5–7	Intelligence, interrogation, and investigation reports including the final report of the Art Looting Investigation Unit Information on the art collection of Hermann Göring An investigation of loot in Switzerland, and the discovery of the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire, 1944–1947 Information about the “Ahenerbe” organization. [Note 45]
8–17	Reports: Field, special, and general, 1945–1946 MFA&A reports, 1945–1946 Meetings concerning restitution, 1945 Information file on policy and procedures, 1944–1945
17–21	Correspondence; outgoing messages; memorandums; and reports, 1945–1946 General information on fine arts in Austria and Germany, 1944–1945
22–24	Museum and monuments lists from Frankfurt; Schleswig-Holstein; and Harvard, 1943–1945 Acquisition lists, 1938–1942
28–29	Monuments: War damage reports; lists; and locations, 1944–1945
29–31	Museums: General information; locations; and inventory lists, 1938–1947

Activity Reports, 1945 (A1, Entry 489) [M1941, Rolls 31–33]

Arranged by unit and thereunder chronologically.

This series consists of monthly reports of the Third and Seventh U.S. Armies concerning monuments and fine art activities for 1945.

Restitution and Custody Receipts, 1945–1951 (A1, Entry 490) [M1941, Rolls 33–45]

This series consists of receipts for the restitution of cultural objects to countries, for the return of cultural objects to German institutions, for interzonal exchange of cultural objects, and for the change of custody of cultural objects in the U.S. zone. Lists and descriptions of cultural objects included in the shipments are attached to the receipts. Includes various arrangements of copies of receipts for shipments of cultural objects, most of which are cross-referenced by assigned shipment numbers.

Selected Microfilm Reproductions and Related Records, 1945–1949 (A1, Entry 491) [A3389, Rolls 1–76]

WIESBADEN CENTRAL COLLECTING POINT [M1947, Rolls 1–117]

General Records, 1945–1952 (A1, Entry 492)

Arranged by general subject or by type of record.

This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, reports, press clippings, and custody receipts. The most prominent subjects are art loans, art exhibitions, Jewish cultural objects, and monuments and fine arts policy planning. The records also include a draft monograph on war damage to German monuments (300 pages, 1950), records relating to the history of the Offenbach Archival Depot (1946-1947), and photographs of the Hungarian Crown of St. Stephen.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 1–18.

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
1–2	Accessions and acquisitions of art collections; art dealers licenses; art intelligence; artists associations and schools; church bells
3–7	Art Collections; exhibitions and loans of artwork for exhibitions
8	Hungarian claims; Hungarian Crown Jewels including Crown of St. Stephen
9–10	Jewish claims; Jewish Cultural Reconstruction, Inc.; Art acquisition ledger of Dr. Muehlmann; Looting by the Ahnenerbe
12–13	Policy; Post-War Survey of Historic Architecture in the American Zone of Germany;
15	Receipts for Cultural Objects; Evacuation of the Reichsbank Frankfurt

Administrative Records, 1944–1951 (A1, Entry 493)

Arranged alphabetically by subject or type of records.

This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, reports, directives, organization charts, and other records relating to the general administration of the monuments and fine arts program. The administrative records also include invoices documenting ordinary purchases of the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point, records relating to personnel employed by the collecting point, records relating to both general policy on the regulation of art trade and to individual art dealers, and records relating to the development of U.S. monuments and fine art policy.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 18–29

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
18–21	Individual case files of art dealers in Hesse
21–25	Correspondence regarding claims and other unit activities
26–29	Laws and directives governing restitution and collecting point procedures; Vaucher Commission; Personnel

Cultural Object Movement and Control Records, 1945–1952 (A1, Entry 494)

Arranged by type of record.

This series consists of shipment files, location registers, control cards, custody receipts, and other kinds of records documenting the custody and movement of cultural objects. A one-volume summary of incoming shipments and outgoing shipments of cultural objects, which includes the shipment number, the date received or shipped, the number of objects included, places of origin or destination, and other information concerning each shipment, is located at the beginning of the series. This volume serves as an index to the individual shipment folder files that follow it. Also included are some Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point inventory control records, such as location registers, property control cards, and custody receipts for cultural objects received by the collecting point.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 29–41

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
29–32	In-shipments, 1945–1949
32–36	Out-shipments, 1945–1952
36–37	Photographic inventory of Jewish devotional silver; Jewish Cultural Reconstruction list of unclaimed collections; privately owned book collections
38–39	Custody receipts, 1945-1951; Latvian, Polish and Russian restitution
40–41	Jewish identified property; coin collections

Restitution Claim Records, 1945–1948 (A1, Entry 495)

Arranged alphabetically by country and thereunder by either miscellaneous claims, internal restitutions, and/or alphabetically by claimant.

This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, and reports pertaining to restitution claims. Most of the records originated in the 1945-50 period, although some date as late as 1958, and most consist of individual claim case files, containing records relating to claims made by individuals, institutions, and countries for the return of looted art objects. The terms "external restitutions" and "internal restitutions" are used throughout the records. External restitutions pertained to the return of looted objects to other countries or to citizens or institutions of other countries, while internal restitutions concerned the return of looted objects to German citizens.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 41–50

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
41–42	Restitution claims for the countries and citizens of: Austria; Belgium; Canada; and Czechoslovakia
43–44	Restitution claims for the countries and citizens of: Denmark; France
44–46	Restitution claims for the countries and citizens of: Germany; Great Britain
47–49	Restitution claims for the countries and citizens of: Greece; Hungary; Italy; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Norway; Palestine; Poland; Romania; Soviet Union; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United States; Yugoslavia

Activity Reports, 1945–1951 (A1, Entry 496)

Arranged alphabetically by subject and thereunder chronologically by month or date.

This series consists of monthly and consolidated reports from monuments and fine arts offices in Land Hesse and Bavaria to higher head-quarters, including reports on the status of the collecting points, consolidated summaries of monuments and fine arts activities, and district summaries of monuments and fine arts activities.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 49–55

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
49	Activity Reports for Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Branch
50–53	Monthly Reports for Office of Military Government for Bavaria; Monthly Reports for Office of Military Government for Hesse; Monthly Reports for Office of Military Government for Wuerttemberg-Baden
54–55	Monthly Reports for Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force; Monthly Reports for Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point; Weekly Reports for Military Government District for Kassel

Records Relating to the Status of Monuments, Museums, and Archives, 1945–1950 (A1, Entry 497)

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

This series consists of correspondence, reports, questionnaires, inventory lists, and photographs that describe the condition of monuments and the holdings of museums and archives throughout Hesse. This series also consists of extensive documentation on the Berlin State Museums (Staatliche Museen, Berlin). The records relating to the Berlin State Museums include inventory lists, reports on the wartime evacuation of the museum collections, the discovery of the different repositories by the U.S. and Allied authorities, the condition of the collections, and the movement and storage of the art and cultural objects within the various collections.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 55–71

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
55–57	Correspondence and questionnaires from archives
58–59	Correspondence and questionnaires from churches, cities and villages
60–62	Reports and questionnaires on war damaged monuments; correspondence and questionnaires from libraries and repositories
63–70	State Museums in Berlin: inventory lists; inventory transfers; material evacuated by Russia; summary reports
71	War damaged art applications

Restitution, Research, and Reference Records, 1900–1954 (A1, Entry 498)

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

This series consists of intelligence, interrogation, and investigative reports, and captured documents, relating to Hermann Goering, Ettle Gisela Limberger, Adolf Weinbmuller, Heinrich Hoffmann, Ernst Buchner, Walter Andrea Hofer, Walter Bornheim, Dr. Hans Frank, Alfred Rosenberg, Joachim von Ribbontrop, Sess-Inquart, Walter Funk, Baldur von Scirach, and Albert Speer. Records relating to the German occupation of the Netherlands, the disposition of German assets in Italy, the German evacuation of cultural objects from Berlin during the war, the German seizure of works of art in Poland, the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR), and the early development of the Nazi Party in the Berchtesgaden area; and some publications including touring guide books to points of cultural interest in Germany, France, and the low countries.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 72–91

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
72	Art owned by or sold by Walter Bornheim; Ernst Buechner; Property stored at Tegernsee and Neuschwanstein; Ghent Altarpiece; Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR) correspondence
73–77	Investigative reports and correspondence of Wilhelm and Anny Ettle
79–80	German assets in Italy including art libraries
81–82	Invoices and correspondence for art objects purchased by Hermann Goering
85–90	Travel guidebooks for Germany and France

Directory of Property Received at Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point, 1945–1949 (A1, Entry 499)

Arranged numerically by shipment number and thereunder by date.

This series consists of summary lists of property shipments received at the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point. Includes types of properties shipped, repository from which the property was shipped, and the disposition of the property.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Roll 91

roll

Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point Property Card Index, 1947–1949 (A1, Entry 500)

Arranged by Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point accession number, with gaps.

This series cconsists of 5- by 8-inch property control cards that function as an incomplete listing of the WCCP accession numbers. Although each card may include information such as the measurements of the artwork, artwork classification, identifying marks, history and ownership, condition and repair record, central collecting point accession number, destination, date of arrival to the collecting point, and disposition of each cultural object, many of the cards only contain shipment information and artwork classification. In some cases, a photograph of the artwork is attached to the card.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 91–92

Records Relating to the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point Restitution, 1945–1951 (A1, Entry 501)

Arranged alphabetically by the name of the country to where objects were sent and thereunder by Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point accession number, with gaps.

This series consists of 5- by 8-inch property control cards that indicate to which country the Nazi-looted cultural objects were restituted. Each card may list the measurements of the artwork, artwork classification, identifying marks, history and ownership, condition and repair record, central collecting point accession number, date of arrival to the collecting point, destination, exit date, and disposition of each cultural object. In some cases, a photograph of the artwork is attached to the card.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 92–97

Records Relating to the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point Property Accessions, 1945–1949 (A1, Entry 502)

Arranged alphabetically by artwork classification and thereunder by Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point accession number, with gaps.

This series consists of 5- by 8-inch property control cards that serve as the primary method to locate cultural objects housed at the WCCP. Each card may list the measurements of the artwork, artwork classification, identifying marks, history and ownership, condition and repair record, central collecting point accession number, and date of arrival to the collecting point of each cultural object. In some cases, a photograph of the artwork is attached to the card.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 97–109

Records Relating to the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point Property Releases, 1949–1951 (A1, Entry 503)

Arranged alphabetically by institution or locality to which the property was released and thereunder numerically by Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point accession number, with gaps.

This series consists of 5- by 8-inch property control cards that indicate what artwork was released to the following institutions or localities: Berlin, Darmstadt, Dorotheum in Vienna, Geislingen, Hamburg, Heylshof Stiftung, Karlsruhe, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, and Wiesbaden. Each card may list the measurements of the artwork, artwork classification, identifying marks, history and ownership, condition and repair record, central collecting point accession number, date of arrival to the collecting point, and exit date of each cultural object. In some cases, a photograph of the artwork is attached to the card.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 109–110

Records Relating to the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point Property Releases to German Private Owners, 1945–1950 (A1, Entry 504)

Arranged alphabetically by name of the private owner.

This series consists of 5- by 8-inch property control cards that pertain to cultural objects that were returned to various private owners in Germany. Each card may list the measurements of the artwork, artwork classification, identifying marks, history and ownership, condition and repair record, central collecting point accession number, date of arrival to the collecting point, and exit date of each cultural object. In some cases, a photograph of the artwork is attached to the card.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 110–112

Records Relating to the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point Property Transfers, 1945–1948 (A1, Entry 505)

Arranged by destination of transfer.

This series consists of 5- by 8-inch property control cards that indicate transfers to the custody of the following: the Bavarian Minister President, the West German Federal Government, Gemälde Galerie in Wiesbaden, the Hessian Minister President, the JRSO (Jewish Restitution Successor Organization) in Nürnberg, HICOG, the former Sächsische Landesbibliothek, the Staatliche Museen in Berlin, the Staats Galerie in Stuttgart, the Munich CCP, and the Treuhänder Deutsche Reichsbank in Hesse. Each card may list the measurements of the artwork, artwork classification, identifying marks, history and ownership, condition and repair record, central collecting point accession number, date of arrival to the collecting point, exit date, in-shipment number, out-shipment number, and transfer destination of each cultural object. In some cases, a photograph of the artwork is attached to the card.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Rolls 112–117

Nazistic and Militaristic Property Transfers, 1945–1950 (A1, Entry 506)

Arranged by final disposition and thereunder by Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point accession number, with gaps.

This series consists of 5- by 8-inch property control cards that indicate whether the artwork was to be sent to Washington, DC, or to be destroyed. The cards may list the measurements of the artwork, artwork classification, identifying marks, history and ownership, condition and repair record, central collecting point accession number, date of arrival to the collecting point, destination, exit date, and disposition of each cultural object. In some cases, a photograph of the artwork is attached to the card.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Roll 117

Photographs of Activities and Exhibits at the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point, 1946–1947 (260-WAE)

Arranged numerically by item number.

This series consists of a scrapbook that records the activities and exhibits in which the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point was involved immediately after World War II. Subjects found in this series include the preparation of paintings for shipment to their owners; the return of paintings to Germany from the United States; and views of the complex in Wiesbaden that held the Gemälde Gallery, Archaeological Museum, and Natural History Museum. This complex contained space for storage of recovered artworks, inventorying items, conservation work and photography of the artworks, and exhibits. Other subjects include views of natural history specimens and cultural objects such as menorahs and ceramics, and employees of the complex including carpenters, conservators, electricians, photographers, and secretaries shown engaged in their work. There are also views of various exhibits held at the Wiesbaden complex, with notes indicating personnel of the CCP or noted visitors. Among these are Capt. Walter I. Farmer, Specialist Officer of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section (MFAA) of OMGUS, who was in charge of the Wiesbaden CCP; Prince Ludwig of Hesse; U.S. and German generals; Dutch and French representatives of the MFAA; and German schoolchildren visiting an exhibit. The scrapbook contained loose photographs that allowed both the front and back sides to be filmed since the backs included captions. If the photograph was not loose, it was not detached, and those are noted as "back of photograph not filmed." Negatives for some of these prints in the scrapbook may be located in Record Group 260, Series WL.

This series is available on NARA Microfilm Publication M1947, Roll 117

MARBURG CENTRAL COLLECTING POINT [M1948, Rolls 1–28]

General Records, 1945–1946 (A1, Entry 507) [M1948, Rolls 1–5]

Arranged alphabetically by subject or type of record.

The series consists of daily journals, correspondence, and reports documenting the daily activities of the collecting point. The records relating to the German firm Foto-Marburg are the most voluminous. Foto-Marburg was the photographic firm affiliated with the University of Marburg, which produced photographs of cultural objects handled by the U.S. Central Collecting Points in the American zone. The Foto-Marburg records document its work at the collecting point and include photographic lists and correspondence between the collecting point and Foto-Marburg. Includes inventories of copy negatives obtained by the German Kuntzschutz of the art photograph collections housed by the Belgium Royal Museum of Art, and deposited in the University of Marburg's Art Historical Institute.

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
1	Daily journal, 1945–1946
1–2	Administrative records, 1945–1946
2	Status of the collecting point reports, 1945–1946
2	Correspondence, 1945–1946
2–5	Records relating to the work of Foto-Marburg including photographic lists and correspondence. These files includes an inventory of the copy negatives obtained by the German “Kunstschutz” [Note 48] from the art photograph collection of the Belgium Royal Museum of Art, and deposited in the University of Marburg's Art Historical Institute, 1945–1946

Marburg Central Collecting Point Property Accessions, 1945–1949 (A1, Entry 508) [M1948, Rolls 6–14]

Arranged numerically by property accession number.

The series consists of property cards which include information such as author or artist, measurements, depot possessor, identifying remarks, subject of art, material or medium used, condition of object, description of object, the presumed owner, and inventory number. In some cases a photograph of the object is attached to the card. The front of each property card contains space for the following information: Classification, author or artist, depot possessor, identifying marks, material, description, presumed owner, catalog number, claim number, negative number, bibliography, measurements and weight, depot number, subject, arrival condition, accession number, inventory number, photograph, other photos, and movements. The back of each card contains space for the following additional information: History and ownership, location, exit date, condition and repair record, and arrival date.

Directory of the Marburg Central Collecting Point Property Released to the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point, 1945–1948 (A1, Entry 509) [M1948, Rolls 15–25]

Arranged in two parts: alphabetically by subject; and alpha-numerically by shipment number.

The series consists of property cards which include such information as author or artist, measurements, depot possessor, identifying remarks, subject of art, material or medium used, condition of object, description of object, the presumed owner, inventory number, and in some cases a photograph of the object. The front of each property card contains space for the following information: Classification, author or artist, depot possessor, identifying marks, material, description, presumed owner, catalog number, claim number, negative number, bibliography, measurements and weight, depot number, subject, arrival condition, accession number, inventory number, photograph, other photos, and movements. The back of each card contains space for the following additional information: History and ownership, location, exit date, condition and repair record, and arrival date.

OFFENBACH ARCHIVAL DEPOT [M1942, Rolls 1–13]

Administrative Records, 1946–1949 (A1, Entry 510) [M1942, Rolls 1–3]

Arranged by type of record or subject.

This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, procedures, and reports relating to the administration of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) program at Offenbach. Also included in this series are records from the Office of the Military Governor outlining the Depot's responsibilities concerning restitution.

Roll #	Selected File Title or Subject
1	Correspondence, 1946–1949
2	Personnel, 1946–1949
2–3	Policy and procedures, 1946–1948
3	Security, 1946–1949

Cultural Object Restitution and Custody Records, 1946–1951 (A1, Entry 511) [M1942, Rolls 4–7]

This series consists of in-shipment receipts dated 1946–1949 which are arranged alphabetically by place of origin of the shipment; receipts for final shipments to the Wiesbaden Central Collecting Point in 1949; receipts for restitution out-shipments dated 1946–1951 that are arranged alphabetically by name of country, German and American military government authorities, or Jewish organization; and a list of sheet music. Among the external restitution out-shipment receipts are those of the Jewish Cultural Reconstruction, Inc. (JCR) and the Yiddish Scientific Institute (YIVO). OMGUS delivered to the JCR all Jewish cultural and religious objects that were alienated from their owners by the Nazis and for which individual owners could not be determined. The JCR acted as the trustee of these objects for all Jewish people, distributing them to appropriate institutions.

Roll #	File Title or Subject
4	Receipts for in-shipments, 1946–1949
4	Receipts for restitution out-shipments, 1946–1951
4	Receipts for final shipments to Wiesbaden, 1949
5–6	Receipts for out-shipments; miscellaneous: To German and other military government authorities, 1948–1949
7	Music packing list, n.d.

Correspondence Relating to Restitution Claims, 1946–1950 (A1, Entry 512) [M1942, Rolls 8–9]

This series consists of correspondence concerning restitution claims including letters received from claimants, letters sent to claimants, and correspondence resulting from actions taken on behalf of claimants.

Monthly Reports, March 1946–August 1947 (A1, Entry 513) [M1942, Rolls 9–10]

Arranged chronologically by date.

This series consists of reports providing detailed information on the administration of the Depot and the progress of the restitution of objects in the Depot's custody. The reports have numerous enclosures, such as floor plans, organizational charts, staff changes, visitors, and lists of library collections which the Depot's staff had sorted and identified in a particular month.

MUNICH CENTRAL COLLECTING POINT [Note 49]