On one occasion the Dutch tax authorities auctioned off his estate to collect taxes, and the then Queen, Wilhelmina, bought his favorite violin out of the auction with her own money, and gave it back to him on the spot.
On one occasion the Dutch tax authorities auctioned off the estate in order to collect back taxes. Queen Wilhelmina was in attendance at the auction, and purchased Kees' favorite violin with her own money, only to return it to him on the spot.