[MSN] Huge interest in the Hunt Museum but no claims on alleged Nazi loot

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Sun, 11/06/06 
Huge interest in the Hunt Museum but no claims on alleged Nazi loot 

 
THE Hunt museum's new onling data base is receiving colossal interest from
history experts.

And all because of the international publicity surrounding the claims that
their unique collection of artefacts had been looted by the Nazis during the
Second World War.

The Hunt Museum was rocked to its foundations two years ago when the
Paris-based anti-Semitism organisation, the Simon Wisenthal Centre alleged
that the priceless collection bequeathed to the museum by art connoisseurs
and collectors, John and Gertrude Hunt, who for years resided with their
children at Lough Gur, County Limerick, had in fact been looted by the
Nazis.

At the time the allegation was made, the now late John Hunt Jnr, who had
actively participated in setting up the museum in the Rutland Street
premises. He and his sister Gertrude had been made Freemen of the City of
Limerick some years previously.

The Simon Wisenthal Centre's claims centred around allegations that John Snr
and hsi wife Gertrude had dealt with Nazi art looters. A letter had been
sent to President Mary McAleese calling for an investigation into the matter
and subsequently an independent expert group was established to do this.
While the group's final report is not yet complete, the museum's website has
attracted thousands of art history experts from around the world who have
provided additional information about several items of the collection.

Significantly, however, no one has come forward to claim ownership of the
alleged Nazi loot.

The expert group spokesperson, Dr Michael Ryan said that if anyone claiming
ownership does come forward they will have to provide convincing evidence. 

http://www.limerickpost.ie/