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via express mail (with enclosures)

Univ.Prof. Dr. Ernst Bacher
Bundesdenkmalamt
Schweizerhof, Säulenstiege Hofburg
A-1010 Wien

Re: Estate

Sehr geehrte Dr. Bacher:

 As promised, I am sending you further documentation of the heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer. What follows is a brief explanation of the rights of the heirs to the estate of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer.

 The last will of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer, dated October 22, 1945, provided that his estate would be divided into three parts among two nieces and one nephew (children of his brother Gustav Bloch-Bauer):

  Louise Gutmann (50%)

  Maria Altmann (25%)

  Robert Bentley (25%)

 Ferdinand died on November 13, 1945 in Zürich, Switzerland. On May 23, 1947, the Bezirksgericht Zürich issued an Erbbescheinigung naming Louise Gattin (ehem. Gutmann), Maria Altmann and Robert Bentley as the heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer.  Of these three heirs, only Maria Altmann is still living.

 Louise Gattin (ehem. Gutmann) died On April 3, 1998 in Vancouver, British Columbia.  Her last will, dated November 3, 1991, provides that her son Francis Gutmann and her daughter Nelly Auersperg shall divide the residue of her estate equally. (Section 3e.)  Therefore, Mr. Gutmann of Montreal, Quebec and Nelly Auersperg of Vancouver, British Columbia each have a 25% share in the estate of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer.  Francis Gutmann and Nelly Auersperg's husband, John Auersperg of Vancouver, British Columbia are the co-executors of the estate of Louise Gattin.

 Robert Bentley died on May 11, 1987 in Vancouver, British Columbia. His second wife, Hylda Bentley, was named the executrix and residual beneficiary of his estate. Robert's only child, George Bentley, received $20,000 from the estate of his father. Hylda's nephew Trevor Mantle was named the alternate executor of the estate of Robert Bentley.  Hylda died on November 1, 1996 in Vancouver, Canada.  Trevor Mantle was named the executor and primary and residual beneficiary of her estate. In order to avoid any dispute between George Bentley and Trevor Mantle, on October 11, 1998, Mr. Bentley and Mr. Mantle entered into an agreement to share equally in any property returned by the Republic of Austria to the heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer.  Therefore, George Bentley of Alamo, California and Trevor Mantle of Vancouver, British Columbia each have a 12.5% interest in the estate of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer.

 Thus, the current heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer, who are entitled to share in the return of any artworks from the Republic of Austria are as follows:

  Maria Altmann (25%)

  Nelly Auersperg (25%)

  Francis Gutmann (25%)

  George Bentley (12.5%)

  Trevor Mantle (12.5%)

 I represent the heirs of 75% of the estate: Maria Altmann, Francis Gutmann, George Bentley and Trevor Mantle. Dr. Nelly Auersperg is representing herself in this matter. I am unaware of any other individual who has made any claim, or could make any claim, to the estate of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer.

 Please advise me as soon as possible if there is any further information you need in advance of the March 18, 1998 meeting of the Beirat with respect to the heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer.

     Very truly yours,

     E. Randol Schoenberg

Enclosures

cc: Dr. Rudolf Wran (by fax w/o enclosures)
bcc: Maria Altmann
 Francis Gutmann
 George Bentley
 Trevor Mantle
 Nelly Auersperg
  (all w/o enclosures)

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