The records reproduced in this publication are in two formats: textual records and black-and-white photographs of library bookplates and markings. The textual records are the administrative records, cultural object restitution and custody records, correspondence relating to restitution claims, and monthly reports. In order to produce the highest quality microfilm image, the library bookplates and markings appear slightly larger than the original for greater clarity and readability.

Textual records

The first series, Administrative Records, 1945–1949, 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. This series is arranged by type of record or subject.

The second series, Cultural Object Restitution and Custody Records, 1946–1951, consists of the following: in-shipments receipts dated 1946–1949 that 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.

The third series, Correspondence Relating to Restitution Claims, 1946–1950, 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.

The fourth series, Monthly Reports, March 1946–August 1947, 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 that the Depot’s staff had sorted and identified in a particular month. The reports are arranged chronologically by date.

Photographs

Photographs of the Operations of the Offenbach Archival Depot, ca. 1945 [260-PHOAD], is arranged by subject. Series designators for photograph collections at the National Archives consist of the series title with a date span and record group number with an acronym or other devised abbreviation, shown here in brackets. The images were taken or acquired by the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives (MFAA) Section of the Office of Military Government for Germany (OMGUS). These four albums consist of photographs that show administrative and everyday work activities of the Offenbach Archival Depot including inspection of transportation vehicles, daily office activities of secretaries and clerks, and supervision of working personnel in the depot; administrative and academic personnel examining rare Jewish manuscripts and books; unidentifiable loot from Jewish synagogues; and ERR activities in various parts of Europe including Germany, Holland, France, Belgium, USSR, and the Baltic States. The photographs have captions in English and German.

Photographs of Library Markings from Looted Books, Made by the Offenbach Archival Depot, ca. 1945 [260-LM], were taken by the Offenbach Archival Depot as a record of the multiplicity of institutions and private owners from whom books were seized by the Nazis during World War II. These albums contain library markings from both Eastern and Western Europe, and include examples from Great Britain and the United States as well. Countries represented include Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Palestine, the Ukraine, and White Russia (Belorussia). Organizations and institutions represented in these photographs include the Jewish Welfare Board of New York, the United Workers’ Cooperative Association, the U.S. Library of Congress, and numerous Jewish historical and cultural organizations throughout Europe. Included are sections devoted to library markings from Catholic and Jewish libraries and individuals. A breakdown of the contents of each album is as follows: Album I includes private library markings, arranged alphabetically by surname of individual or name of library. Call numbers for the books are written beside each photograph. Sections devoted to markings from Jewish and Catholic libraries follow. Album II includes markings from Eastern Europe (Czechoslovakia to Yugoslavia). These are arranged alphabetically by country, then numerically thereunder. Album III includes markings from the United States and Western Europe (America to Switzerland). Sections entitled “Stamps” and “Monograms” follow. These photographs are also arranged alphabetically by country and thereunder numerically. Album IV includes markings from Eastern Europe (Czechoslovakia to Latvia) and duplicates the contents of Album II. Album V includes markings from Eastern Europe (Lithuania to Yugoslavia) and also duplicates the contents of Album II. Album VI includes markings from Western Europe and duplicates Album III. There are no negatives for this series.

Photographs of “Ex Libris” Library Bookplates, taken by the Offenbach Archival Depot, ca. 1945 [260-XL], were produced by the Offenbach Archival Depot, the primary shipment center for artworks from the Marburg and Wiesbaden Central Collecting Points in the Office of Military Government for Hesse. The photographs were produced from vast collections of books seized by the ERR and other Nazi organizations during World War II. These photos record the variety of artistic designs used for bookplates in Europe, especially Germany, before World War II. Examples of religious themes, political symbols (including swastikas), classical motifs, and Art Deco and other modern styles are all found in these photos. While the majority of the bookplates are German, there are also examples from Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands. Included among these bookplates are examples from the various members of the Rothschild family in France, who amassed a large collection of artworks.

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