Wolfenbüttel, 15 July 2025
The restitution file for Lucy Baker shows that her personal and household effects she sent for shipping when she emigrated included 24 picture books published between 1920 and 1932 as well as some 200 books published between 1900 and 1932. It can be assumed that these books included the two volumes found in the HAB (Unterhaltungen über literarische Gegenstände and Das gerettete Venedig). The two books were returned to Büchenbacher’s heir in early 2025.
Their provenance was reconstructed as part of the project Nazi-looted property among the acquisitions of the Herzog August Bibliothek, 1933–1969, which is funded by the Deutsches Zentrum Kulturgutverluste (German Lost Art Foundation).
More information about Lucy Büchenbacher’s history can be found in the latest episode of the HAB podcast: #20 Nazi-looted property: The story of Lucy Büchenbacher – HAB
Image: Lucy Büchenbacher’s bookplate features the owner jumping a pile of books on her horse.
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