Letters to the Ministry of Education and Culture |
via facsimile: 011-43-1-533-7797
Fr. Bundesministerin Elisabeth Gehrer
Minoritenplatz 5
A-1014 Wien
Re: Estate
Sehr geehrte Frau Bundesministerin:
Congratulations on the passage of the new law concerning "Rückgabe von Kunstgegenständen aus den Österreichischen Bundesmuseen"!
Please be advised that I have been formally retained to represent all of the legal heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer. Attached please find an affidavit from Maria Altmann geb. Bloch-Bauer, who is named as a beneficiary in her uncle Ferdinand's last will (which I have previously sent to you). I also now have similar affidavits from all of the legal heirs and executors of Mrs. Altmann's deceased brother and sister, the two other beneficiaries of Ferdinand's will.
At your earliest convenience, I would very much appreciate receiving confirmation from you that you have received this letter and my previous letters to you dated September 13 and September 23, 1998 and my September 29 letter to Prof. Ernst Bacher. To date I have received no response from either of you. My fax number is 1-213-473-2222. My telephone number is 1-213-473-2045. My email is schoera@ffhsj.com.
In order to facilitate the restoration of the Bloch-Bauer family artworks, may I suggest that the researchers selected by the provenance committee contact me at their earliest convenience. The family is in possession of certain documents which might shed light on the history of the matter. We have prepared a preliminary list of artworks that were not returned to the family. I would also appreciate receiving copies of the relevant files from the Bundesdenkmalamt, Austrian Gallery, Albertina, Staatsarchiv and any other documents the researchers have obtained which are relevant to the matter. My clients may be able to assist the researchers in understanding the old documents.
I apologize once again that my German writing is not proficient enough to write to you in German. Please feel free to respond in German, as I can read very well.
Very truly yours,
E. Randol Schoenberg
Attachment
cc: Mrs. Maria Altmann
Univ.Prof. Dr. Ernst Bacher (fax: 011-43-1-534-15-252)
Members of the Kommission Provienzienforschung
bcc: Stephen D. Alexander, Esq.
