This book explains for the first time the full story of the wartime adventures of Britain's greatest art treasures. At first the pictures and other artifacts were distributed amongst a number of large country houses. Initially the owners of these houses almost fought one another for the right to house the Treasures. Later, when further accommodation was needed for treasures from the provincial museums, the tables turned and the Office of Works was reduced to bribing owners by promising that they would be spared billetees, ...
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This book explains for the first time the full story of the wartime adventures of Britain's greatest art treasures. At first the pictures and other artifacts were distributed amongst a number of large country houses. Initially the owners of these houses almost fought one another for the right to house the Treasures. Later, when further accommodation was needed for treasures from the provincial museums, the tables turned and the Office of Works was reduced to bribing owners by promising that they would be spared billetees, and that their houses would be immune from requisitioning. By mid 1940 however, circumstances transpired that made the country houses untenable. German air bases in northern France made the whole of Britain vulnerable. Eventually two deep underground repositories were constructed, one in Wales and one in Wiltshire, and by the end of 1942 virtually all the cultural heritage of the nation was concentrated there. Building and operation of these underground treasure houses did not, however, go smoothly, as described here.
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Add this copy of Saving Britain's Art Treasures to cart. $11.75, new condition, Sold by Pegasusbooks rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Farmington Hills, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Pen and Sword/Leo Cooper.
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Seller's Description:
New in New dust jacket. 0850529182. Hardcover is burgundy cloth with gold lettering on spine. Pages are clean and tight; this is a NEW book. Illustrated with dozens of b/w photographs. Sections are: Inter-war Plans; Country Houses; British Museum; Victoria & Albert Museum; Westwood Quarry; National Gallery and Manod Quarry; Tate, Wallace and Imperial Museum; Public Record Office [PRO], Provincial Galleries and Eclesiastical Treasures; Conclusion; index. "With the Second World War looming and the awful certainty that Hitler would use the Luftwaffe to attack London and other cities, a far-sighted and dedicated group of individuals realised that drastic steps were required if the Nation's historic and irrepplaceable collection of paintings and other artefacts was to be preserved....As so vividly described in this book, the immensity of this undertaking was huge....As the range of German bombers increased....and more remote, less glamorous havens, such as slate quarries in North Wales, found and prepared...." Fascinating and exciting true story of a country's single mindedness to preserve its great artistic, cultural and historic treasures for the present and future. Having had many opportunities to see and glory in the vast numbers of items saved, one can only be eternally grateful for the forethought and devotion of those entrusted with this task.; B&W Photographs; 0.64 x 9.36 x 6.42 Inches; xii, 156 pages; Cover has very slight bumping. DJ has faint rubbing; in a mylar cover.
Add this copy of Saving Britain's Art Treasures to cart. $14.00, like new condition, Sold by Enterprise Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chicago, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Leo Cooper/Pen & Sword.
Add this copy of Saving Britain's Art Treasures to cart. $15.00, like new condition, Sold by Nilbog Books rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Portland, ME, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Pen & Sword/Leo Cooper.
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Seller's Description:
Very Fine in Very Fine jacket. 8vo-over 7¾-9¾" tall. 1st Printing. This is a Very Fine (Appears Unread) copy of the first edition (1st printing). Includes illustrations. Index. In a mylar jacket cover.
Add this copy of Saving Britain's Art Treasures From the Nazis to cart. $36.43, new condition, Sold by Military History Bookshop rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Folkestone, KENT, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2003 by Pen & Sword.
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Seller's Description:
New. World War II-General To safeguard Britain's art treasures at the outbreak of WWII, pictures and other artefacts were distributed amongst a number of large country houses, the owners often vying for the right to house them. By mid 1940 however, circumstances made the country houses untenable as German air bases in France made the whole of Britain vulnerable. Eventually two deep underground repositories were constructed in Wales and Wiltshire and, by the end of 1942, virtually all the nation's cultural heritage was concentrated in these underground treasure houses. UL-XXXXXX. 224pp, illustrations.
Add this copy of Saving Britain's Art Treasures to cart. $41.81, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Leo Cooper.
Add this copy of Saving Britain's Art Treasures to cart. $73.00, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Leo Cooper.
