Himmler Decree Concerning Procedures for
Confiscation of Works of Art, Archives and Documents

1 December 1939

16 December 1939.

The Reichfuehrer SS Berlin,
Chief of German Police in the Ministry of Justice.
Reich Commissioner for the Strengthening. of Germanism
S I V 1 Nr. 844 III/ 39-151-F-Sdb. P

Urgent Decree

The regional officers of the secret police in the annexed eastern territories
The commanders of security police and security service in Cracow, Radom, Warsaw, Lublin.

For information .

* * *

Subject matter: Procedure for the confiscation of works of art, archives, documents, collections etc.

I

The Chief Custodian East has issued the following order dated 1 December 1939 concerning confiscation:

1. To strengthen Germanism and in the interest of the defense of the Reich, all articles mentioned in section II of this decree are hereby confiscated. This applies to all articles located in the territories annexed by the Fuehrer's and Reich Chancellor's decree of 12.10.1939 and in the General Government for the occupied Polish territories. They are confiscated for the benefit of the German Reich and are at the disposal of the Reich Commissioner for the Strengthening of Germanism. Provided always that this does not apply to articles which are fully or for more than 75% the property of German citizens or persons of German race. In particular are confiscated all articles mentioned in Section II which are in archives, museums, public collections or in the private possession of PoIes and Jews if their protection and expert safekeeping is in German interest.

II

1. Historical and pre-historical articles, documents, books, which are of interest for questions of cultural value and of public life, especially for the question of the German share in the historical, cultural and economic development of the country, and documents which are relevant for the history of present events.

2. Articles of art of cultural value e. g. pictures, sculptures, furniture, carpets, crystal, books etc.

3. Furnishings and jewelry made of precious metal.

III

The administration of the confiscated articles is ordered hereby and a commissioner is to be appointed by the president of the association for research and education "The Ancestral Heritage Registered Society", Berlin-Dahlem, Puecklerstrasse 16, is to be entrusted to be the general custodian. He is empowered to appoint custodians and deputies and is entitled to take all steps necessary for the protection and maintenance of the confiscated articles

IV

All confiscations made before this decree by authorities of the Reichfuehrer SS and chief of German police and the Reich commissioner for the Strengthening of Germanism are hereby confirmed. They are to be regarded as made for the benefit of the German Reich and are at the disposal of the Reich commissioner for the Strengthening of Germanism.

V

In due course the usual questionnaires for cataloging the confiscated articles are to be sent to the Chief Custodian East.

VI

This decree is made in pursuance of the ordinance of Prime Minister, General Field Marshal Goering of 19.10.39-St. M. Dev. 9547.

This decree has been extended by a further confiscation decree of 6.12.1939 as follows:

In section II of my decree of 1.12.1939 concerning confiscation of works of art and of cultural value the following categories are to be added :

4. Al l articles, especially apparatus and accessories for conserving, developing, serving to and maintaining the confiscated objects and collections. Under this category fall also items of natural, medical, technical, and agricultural science, i. e. not only .appliances.

5. Armour, costumes, national dresses, musical instruments, coins, stamps, and similar collections.

6. The articles under 1-5 also if they are in schools, particularly universities, colleges, technical institutes.

II
[Note: This is the formatting of R-145]

I request to proceed at once with the confiscations in accord-ance with this decree. One copy each of the confiscation minutes is to be sent to:

1. Reich Security-Main Department.

2. Prof. Dr. Heinrich Harmjanz, Berlin-Dahlem, Pucklerstrasse 16, who as delegate of the president of the association for re-search and education "The Ancestral Heritage Registered Society" Berlin-Dahlem, has been appointed general custodian for these values. His deputy is the manager of the association for research and education "The Ancestral Heritage Registered Society" Berlin-Dahlem, SS-Sturmbannfuehrer Wolfram Sievers.

III

Before archives, documents and libraries are handed over to the "Ancestral Heritage Registered Society" further instructions from the Reich Security Main Department have to be awaited. Care has to be taken that the confiscated archives, works of art etc. are kept safely in suitable rooms.

Signed. H. Himmler