English Translation

15 A report from the Reichsfinanzministerium to Martin Bormann dated 21 September 1940 shows that the Upper Finance Bureau in Vienna had informed that the inheritance fee would be about RM 500,000,--. At a price of RM 1.4 million. (for Adolf Hitler) plus half of the inheritance fee – only half of which was to be borne by Jaromir Czernin, the other half was to go to the expense of Eugen Czernine – a purchase price of RM 1.65 million.On 26 September 1940 Martin Bormann commissioned Hans Posse to purchase the present painting at the price of the RM 1.65 million. Martin Bormann explained that Adolf Hitler had already told Hans Posse "of the previously unheard-of high demands for this picture, according to latest findings Count [Jaromir] Czernin demanded for the Vermeer now a price of 1.4 million plus the taxes of RM 250,000,-. The following day Jaromir Czernin went to Marschendorf with him. On the same day, Jaromi Czernine reported to his Leitmeritzer (Litoměřice) lawyer Fritz Lerche from the Munich meeting with Hermann Habermann. The latter would have called him the day before and told him that "the matter should be settled in the very next days, and that is the acquirer of the Führer himself." He therefore asked Fritz Lerche to come to Marschendorf, too, and he added: "I believe the matter is near a favorable conclusion. On 1 October 1940, Hans Posse submitted a written "Purchase Request" in Marschendorf, Jaromir Czernin, with the content that Adolf Hitler would acquire the actual painting by RM 1.65 million from Jaromi Czernine, subject to the approval of the fideimmensrechtliches und denkmalschutzbehörde. The purchase sum was calculated on the condition that the inheritance fees are not higher than RM 250,000,--. In a supplementary request of the same day it was stated that the purchase sum remains the same even if the inheritance charges are more than RR 250,000.--, but below RM 500,000.-. As witnesses, Hermann Habermann and Fritz Lerche signed this purchase request. For this purpose Jaromir Czernin stated in a letter addressed to Adolf Hitler dated 4 October that he accepted the purchase application and the supplementary request. Hans Posse reported on 7 October 1940 Martin Bormann on the successful conclusion of the purchase, which informed Hans Heinrich Lammers about the purchase on 8 October 1940. About the purchase price in the amount of RM 1.65 million. Martin Bormann noted that "in itself this best image of the Vermeer has an international value that goes far beyond the approved price." On 9 October 1940 Jaromir Czernin applied by attorney Ernst Egger for the fideikommisrechtliche permission of the sale and Herbert Seiberl also raised the