Vignettes
These short vignettes featuring stories of Atlas antecedents were included on a tablet in the 1920s office in the exhibition which was recreated from photographs of Walter Camilleri Snr’s Caledonian Agency in Valletta. They give a flavour of commercial life in Malta from the 1920s until the wartime period.
Tap to discover more
A & V von Brockdorff and the Knight of Malta
At war about Compulsory Motor Insurance
Beer in Tripoli & Sulphur in Licata
The Fire and Burglary Insurance Agents Corporation
Walter Camilleri Sr. defender of the "unquestionable morality and honesty of Maltese Merchants."
Ercole Valenzia and the Tailors' Protest
The wartime coinsurance agency pool
Back
A & V von BROCKDORFF
Starting off in 1913, A & V von Brockdorff was a travel bureau and agent for multiple companies, largely concerned with travel and shipping. In 1920, it was appointed agent of the Commercial Union Assurance Company. Prior to the war their offices were located in Kingsway, now Republic Street, in the premesis now occupied by Caffe Cordina. Prior to A & V von Brockdorff, this address was occupied by the Cinema du Commerce.
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The Knight of Malta was built in the UK in 1929 for Cassar Co. Ltd to operate a passenger and mail service between Valletta and Syracuse as well as Tunis. A & V von Brockdorff were agents for the vessel.
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The National Archives hold records of A & V von Brockdorff formally applying to the Governor to use lighting while loading and unloading cargo in March 1940. The Knight of Malta would eventually be requisitioned by the Admiralty to use as an armed boarding vessel and was reportedly wrecked off the coast of Libya in 1941.
Back
Menu
MENU
During the war all commodities and supplies needed by Malta were brought in by protected formations of cargo ships known as convoys. Local importers formed a variety of pools in order to acquire their product in bulk, whenever it was available, and in specifically allocated convoys. By 1943, convoys brought in supplies for Butter, Cement, Cheese, Fish, Flour, Sugar, Tea, Tomatoes, Onions, Timber, Chocolate, Bicycles, and much more.
Next
Back
MENU
Local insurance agents had already lost their motor insurance business since during the war, motor vehicles had been compulsorily laid up. When faced by the prospect of losing their marine cargo insurance business too, George E Camilleri and Albert V Mallia fought successfully for the creation of a co-insurance pool so that the livelihood of local agents could be safeguarded.
Next
Back
The Fire & Burglary Insurance Agents' Corporation, represented by George E. Camilleri and Albert V. Mallia, was to face further obstacles when in 1942 the pool lost its business when the insurance of essential commodities was discontinued by the local government. Agents sought backing from their UK principals to fight this decision and appear to have been successful when the pools became self-administered again.
Menu
Back
MENU
Leading up to WW2 and the eventuality of war, local importers from Axis powers slowly saw their principals became enemy firms. At the same time, by 1939 a new Ordinance on Third Party Risks Motor Insurance was enacted. This was to be the first compulsory motor insurance legislation in Malta. Local agents advertised the new requirements and their ability to sell motor policies conforming to the new regulations in 1940. However, things went awry for local agents when the Maltese Government proposed a state monopoly to prevent funds from leaving the islands to go to British insurers.
Next
Back
MENU
In a strongly worded position paper written from the office of the Caledonian agents on 1st May 1940, nine local agents argued against the proposed government monopoly stating that a substantial portion of the estimated £18,000 will remain in Malta to cover the payment of claims, agents' renumeration, advertising and other incidental expenditure as well as the employment of an actuary. Many other arguments were put forward but before this matter was concluded motor vehicles were compulsorily laid up unless impressed for the war effort. Thankfully for the UK insurance agents, the monopoly never transpired and compulsory motor insurance was brought into force in 1947.
Back
Next
Menu
Back
In the September 1921 issue of the British Export Gazette, the leader highlighted various abuses in the area of Export Credit referring to 'evasion of contracts', 'victimisation of British Manufacturers' and worse. Although this was a general leader relating to exporting to the Near East, Mr Camilleri objected in the strongest terms 'this market has been completely immune from the evils and abuses so commonly prevalent in other markets during the ... depression of the past years.'
Back
Next
MENU
Walter Camilleri Sr. was appointed Secretary to the Chamber of Commerce in 1920. At the time, Malta was still recovering from the economic and social turmoil following the First World War and the Sette Giugno riots. Prior to his being appointed agent for Caledonian Insurance in 1927, he had his own history of advocacy for the commercial community fulfilling his role at the Chamber.
Back
Next
Walter continues to insist that 'this market, providentially, has remained immune from such pernicious and dishonest practice, and that none of the evils and abuses which have so sorely affected the credit of other markets have so far stained the unquestionable morality and honesty of the Maltese Merchants.' Long may it remain so...
Menu
Back
MENU
After the Allies took Libya in 1943, the presence of British troops in the Mediterranean grew exponentially. The Italian OEA brewery had been seized by the British and offered to Farsons to run since beer was demanded at all costs for morale and since it was safer to drink than water. Farsons' Lewis V. Farrugia offered the management of the brewery to George E. Camilleri, the Caledonian agent at the time, his close friend and 'the only person who enjoyed his full confidence'.
Back
Next
MENU
Records show that despite the fact that his wife was very reluctant to accede to Farrugia's offer, George went to Libya. Previously unpublished photos of George E. Camilleri, Lewis V. Farrugia and others in Libya have now surfaced.
Next
Back
Meanwhile his brother Joseph managed the insurance agency back home in Malta although George continued to take an active part in the business and also in Malta Chamber affairs as at the time he held the position of Honorary Secretary. The Camilleris were also involved in a sulphur mill with Arturo Verdirame of Licata. Sig. Verdirame shows his frustration at George's absence and when the mill was damaged he exhorts him to 'abandon any job at Tripoli as any importance of this job is a trifle against the importance of' this business.'
Back
Menu
MENU
Solicitor Ercole J. Valenzia, apart from being appointed Norwich Union agent in 1934, was an interesting character. He was a prominent Constitutional Party politician and represented several unions in Malta. At a famous rally in Żejtun he started his famous speech ‘Long Live the Pope and the Catholic Religion’ and continued by eulogising Lord Strickland who was at loggerheads with the church at the time.
Next
Back
MENU
Ercole also defended the rights of the Naval Tailors Combination. In May 1928, the Naval Commander-in-Chief ruled that traders including Bootmakers, Barbers, Tailors etc will no longer be able to board naval vessels. This meant that they could no longer fit uniforms etc which was a real threat to their livelihood. Ercole Valenzia's impressive missive to support the tailors' cause was uncovered at the National Archives and was supported by the Malta Chamber
Back
Next
Menu
Back
Centennial Chronicles
Atlas Insurance
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Transcript
Vignettes
These short vignettes featuring stories of Atlas antecedents were included on a tablet in the 1920s office in the exhibition which was recreated from photographs of Walter Camilleri Snr’s Caledonian Agency in Valletta. They give a flavour of commercial life in Malta from the 1920s until the wartime period.
Tap to discover more
A & V von Brockdorff and the Knight of Malta
At war about Compulsory Motor Insurance
Beer in Tripoli & Sulphur in Licata
The Fire and Burglary Insurance Agents Corporation
Walter Camilleri Sr. defender of the "unquestionable morality and honesty of Maltese Merchants."
Ercole Valenzia and the Tailors' Protest
The wartime coinsurance agency pool
Back
A & V von BROCKDORFF
Starting off in 1913, A & V von Brockdorff was a travel bureau and agent for multiple companies, largely concerned with travel and shipping. In 1920, it was appointed agent of the Commercial Union Assurance Company. Prior to the war their offices were located in Kingsway, now Republic Street, in the premesis now occupied by Caffe Cordina. Prior to A & V von Brockdorff, this address was occupied by the Cinema du Commerce.
Back
Next
MENU
The Knight of Malta was built in the UK in 1929 for Cassar Co. Ltd to operate a passenger and mail service between Valletta and Syracuse as well as Tunis. A & V von Brockdorff were agents for the vessel.
Back
Next
The National Archives hold records of A & V von Brockdorff formally applying to the Governor to use lighting while loading and unloading cargo in March 1940. The Knight of Malta would eventually be requisitioned by the Admiralty to use as an armed boarding vessel and was reportedly wrecked off the coast of Libya in 1941.
Back
Menu
MENU
During the war all commodities and supplies needed by Malta were brought in by protected formations of cargo ships known as convoys. Local importers formed a variety of pools in order to acquire their product in bulk, whenever it was available, and in specifically allocated convoys. By 1943, convoys brought in supplies for Butter, Cement, Cheese, Fish, Flour, Sugar, Tea, Tomatoes, Onions, Timber, Chocolate, Bicycles, and much more.
Next
Back
MENU
Local insurance agents had already lost their motor insurance business since during the war, motor vehicles had been compulsorily laid up. When faced by the prospect of losing their marine cargo insurance business too, George E Camilleri and Albert V Mallia fought successfully for the creation of a co-insurance pool so that the livelihood of local agents could be safeguarded.
Next
Back
The Fire & Burglary Insurance Agents' Corporation, represented by George E. Camilleri and Albert V. Mallia, was to face further obstacles when in 1942 the pool lost its business when the insurance of essential commodities was discontinued by the local government. Agents sought backing from their UK principals to fight this decision and appear to have been successful when the pools became self-administered again.
Menu
Back
MENU
Leading up to WW2 and the eventuality of war, local importers from Axis powers slowly saw their principals became enemy firms. At the same time, by 1939 a new Ordinance on Third Party Risks Motor Insurance was enacted. This was to be the first compulsory motor insurance legislation in Malta. Local agents advertised the new requirements and their ability to sell motor policies conforming to the new regulations in 1940. However, things went awry for local agents when the Maltese Government proposed a state monopoly to prevent funds from leaving the islands to go to British insurers.
Next
Back
MENU
In a strongly worded position paper written from the office of the Caledonian agents on 1st May 1940, nine local agents argued against the proposed government monopoly stating that a substantial portion of the estimated £18,000 will remain in Malta to cover the payment of claims, agents' renumeration, advertising and other incidental expenditure as well as the employment of an actuary. Many other arguments were put forward but before this matter was concluded motor vehicles were compulsorily laid up unless impressed for the war effort. Thankfully for the UK insurance agents, the monopoly never transpired and compulsory motor insurance was brought into force in 1947.
Back
Next
Menu
Back
In the September 1921 issue of the British Export Gazette, the leader highlighted various abuses in the area of Export Credit referring to 'evasion of contracts', 'victimisation of British Manufacturers' and worse. Although this was a general leader relating to exporting to the Near East, Mr Camilleri objected in the strongest terms 'this market has been completely immune from the evils and abuses so commonly prevalent in other markets during the ... depression of the past years.'
Back
Next
MENU
Walter Camilleri Sr. was appointed Secretary to the Chamber of Commerce in 1920. At the time, Malta was still recovering from the economic and social turmoil following the First World War and the Sette Giugno riots. Prior to his being appointed agent for Caledonian Insurance in 1927, he had his own history of advocacy for the commercial community fulfilling his role at the Chamber.
Back
Next
Walter continues to insist that 'this market, providentially, has remained immune from such pernicious and dishonest practice, and that none of the evils and abuses which have so sorely affected the credit of other markets have so far stained the unquestionable morality and honesty of the Maltese Merchants.' Long may it remain so...
Menu
Back
MENU
After the Allies took Libya in 1943, the presence of British troops in the Mediterranean grew exponentially. The Italian OEA brewery had been seized by the British and offered to Farsons to run since beer was demanded at all costs for morale and since it was safer to drink than water. Farsons' Lewis V. Farrugia offered the management of the brewery to George E. Camilleri, the Caledonian agent at the time, his close friend and 'the only person who enjoyed his full confidence'.
Back
Next
MENU
Records show that despite the fact that his wife was very reluctant to accede to Farrugia's offer, George went to Libya. Previously unpublished photos of George E. Camilleri, Lewis V. Farrugia and others in Libya have now surfaced.
Next
Back
Meanwhile his brother Joseph managed the insurance agency back home in Malta although George continued to take an active part in the business and also in Malta Chamber affairs as at the time he held the position of Honorary Secretary. The Camilleris were also involved in a sulphur mill with Arturo Verdirame of Licata. Sig. Verdirame shows his frustration at George's absence and when the mill was damaged he exhorts him to 'abandon any job at Tripoli as any importance of this job is a trifle against the importance of' this business.'
Back
Menu
MENU
Solicitor Ercole J. Valenzia, apart from being appointed Norwich Union agent in 1934, was an interesting character. He was a prominent Constitutional Party politician and represented several unions in Malta. At a famous rally in Żejtun he started his famous speech ‘Long Live the Pope and the Catholic Religion’ and continued by eulogising Lord Strickland who was at loggerheads with the church at the time.
Next
Back
MENU
Ercole also defended the rights of the Naval Tailors Combination. In May 1928, the Naval Commander-in-Chief ruled that traders including Bootmakers, Barbers, Tailors etc will no longer be able to board naval vessels. This meant that they could no longer fit uniforms etc which was a real threat to their livelihood. Ercole Valenzia's impressive missive to support the tailors' cause was uncovered at the National Archives and was supported by the Malta Chamber
Back
Next
Menu
Back