VOA常速英语2007年-Book Documenting Looted Nazi Art Donated to Nat

By Carolyn Presutti
Washington
02 November 2007
 
Historians estimate the Nazis² stole up to $2.5 billion worth of artwork during World War II, more than the value of all art in America at the time. The U.S. National Archives Thursday accepted the donation of an original photo album, documenting some of the art the Nazis seized in World War II. It is the 40th volume in a series of albums and provides the original owners evidence of their missing artwork.

VOA's Carolyn Presutti reports on the book and what it means to history. 

The leather cover falls apart from its binding³, the pages made of cheap quality paper available during the war. But historians call this book priceless. It is full of secrets. Secrets that reveal mysteries surrounding art looted by the Nazis in World War II.

There are 39 previous volumes containing photographs of works of art secured by the Isenstaf. At the Nuremberg Trials, December 18, 1945, 39 so-called "Hitler Albums" were introduced into evidence, books with photos of the art Nazis pilfered⁴ from Jewish art collections.

Hitler sold the artwork and used the money to finance the war effort. Large amounts of money were involved.

This album is the first to be found since the Nuremberg trials. It documents 50 paintings, many of them already returned to their rightful owners.

Assistant Archivist Michael Kurtz explains its value. "It shows exactly how widespread the looting was. It's a visualization⁵ you can't get just by reading about it or if you study the records."

American entrepreneur and art devotee Robert Edsel donated the first of two albums to the National Archives in Washington, DC. The family of an American soldier gave him the books. Edsel tells us, "This American soldier found this thing. He was stationed near Berchtesgaden in May 1945, at the close of war and he was in Berghof and he picked it up and put it in his backpack and brought it home and there it sat in his attic⁶ for many, many years."

Historians estimate there are 85 of these albums, of which only 41 have been recovered. Archivists hope the discovery of this album will lead to more. And then, with more photos, Nazi¹ victims would have proof to reclaim⁷ their artwork -- a task easier in the United States than in Europe.

Senior Archivist Greg Bradsher explains the difference. "In America, in most states -- in fact, all states -- have a provision that once something is stolen, it's always stolen. Even if it changes hands several times in good faith, it's still stolen. Many European countries have laws that say if you bought it in good faith and can prove you bought it in good faith, it's yours."

It is a race against time, with pages crumbling⁸ and the World War II generation dying off. Edsel adds, "Take a look at what you've got, if you had a parent who fought in World War II, check."

Edsel says if more such mysteries are solved, only then will heirlooms like these paintings return to the families where they belong.

Courtesy: National Archives, Washington, DC

1 Nazi   

n.纳粹分子，adj.纳粹党的，纳粹的

参考例句：

• They declare the Nazi regime overthrown and sue for peace.他们宣布纳粹政权已被推翻，并出面求和。
• Nazi closes those war criminals inside their concentration camp.纳粹把那些战犯关在他们的集中营里。

2 Nazis   

n.（德国的）纳粹党员( Nazi的名词复数 )；纳粹主义

参考例句：

• The Nazis worked them over with gun butts. 纳粹分子用枪托毒打他们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Nazis were responsible for the mass murder of Jews during World War Ⅱ. 纳粹必须为第二次世界大战中对犹太人的大屠杀负责。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

4 pilfered   

v.偷窃（小东西），小偷( pilfer的过去式和过去分词 )；偷窃（一般指小偷小摸）

参考例句：

• Oh, I remember. Lost, pilfered, short-shipped or something. 噢，我想起来了，是有关遗失、被盗、短缺之类的事。 来自商贸英语会话
• The pilfered was let off with some good advice. 小偷经教育后释放。 来自互联网

5 visualization   

n.想像，设想

参考例句：

• In 2D visualization and drawing applications, vertical and horizontal scrolling are common. 在二维的可视化及绘图应用中，垂直和水平滚动非常普遍。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• Ophthalmoscopy affords the only opportunity for direct visualization of blood vessels. 检眼镜检查法提供直接观察血管的唯一机会。

6 attic   

n.顶楼，屋顶室

参考例句：

• Leakiness in the roof caused a damp attic.屋漏使顶楼潮湿。
• What's to be done with all this stuff in the attic?顶楼上的材料怎么处理？

7 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

8 crumbling   

adj.摇摇欲坠的

参考例句：

• an old house with crumbling plaster and a leaking roof 一所灰泥剥落、屋顶漏水的老房子
• The boat was tied up alongside a crumbling limestone jetty. 这条船停泊在一个摇摇欲坠的石灰岩码头边。