[gridlock]

It is not really receiving stolen property. They were not buying it from the thief. They were buying it at a garage sale, or some such thing. If the British Museum had not bought them, they would have wound up as a placemats in some Bavarian diner or something.

Europe was in ruins. It was a good thing that somebody picked up some of the pieces. The British Museum should not be faulted for this.

[cyborg]

It doesn't belong to them. It should be given back. If I found out I had something of value that was stolen, I would give it back. Don't make excuses for the Brits.

[monday]

"If the British Museum had not bought them, they would have wound up as a placemats in some Bavarian diner or something."

Please. Drawings by old masters were recognized as valuable when the museum bought them. Nine Guineas was a lot of money. They would NOT have wound up as place mats. The British museum did not rescue them.