Topic: Malta Decorative Glass Ltd opening and closing dates !

[Baked_Beans]

Pleased to say I have found out the opening and closing dates for Malta Decorative Glass ltd, please see this link......

http://www.timesofmalta.com/

You can search their archives here.

On page 13 of the Sunday Times of Malta dated December 6, 1981 there is a list of government factories and it states that Malta Decorative Glass opened in 1974 and closed in 1978 . In the Times of Malta you can see various adverts for trainees and a production manager is advertised on 18/12/1975. I think Boffo must have left Mdina prior to 1977 (perhaps 1974/5) .

[Baked_Beans]

On Tuesday May 12 1970 page 5 of the Malta Times there is a piece on Mdina  with photo as in Mark Hill's book (page 23). You might have to subscribe to read it though.

[chopin-liszt]

I think I did find that article several years ago. I remember trawling through about 300 pages of archives, but latterly, I was unable to track it down - well done, Mike, that must have been some seriously tenatious searching.
But where does that leave us? Doubting Said's memory from the time he spoke to Wolfie?

[Baked_Beans]

Cheers Sue, I might have to subscribe to this newspaper as there is even an advert for a Malta Decorative Glass 'Grand Sale' in 1975 !

I wonder if there are any personnel records at Mdina to back up what Said said ?

[chopin-liszt]

I would doubt it. Said appears to prefer to make out that Mdina is entirely his and his family's doing, only.

[WhatHo!]

Hi, that date of 1977 was off the top of his head and I thought at the time it seemed a little late. I do think in reflection it could be a bit of a guess.

[Patrick]

On Tuesday May 12 1970 page 5 of the Malta Times there is a piece on Mdina  with photo as in Mark Hill's book (page 23). You might have to subscribe to read it though.

Hi Mike,
 I have used the 15 day free trial and have downloaded the full page article. Makes very interesting reading and no where is Vicente Boffo mentioned . Ettore is however mentioned multiple times and described as the 'production manager'.
 I think the writer of article has got a few things wrong. There is this 'Michael Harris and Ettore steal the show by swift movements of their hands' ....... Ettore was not a highly skilled glassblower and was his father's servitor whilst at Whitefriars.
 Further investigation needed.

Regards,
              Patrick.
Ps Mike , I will email you the article .

[Baked_Beans]

Thanks very much Patrick,

Very interesting, there is no mention of Vicente ! The photo does show Ettore though and the article suggests that he was very much part of the three man team that set up Mdina .

Fascinating to say the least !

Cheers Mike

[chopin-liszt]

The Boffos did not go to Malta until Mdina had already been set up.

The furnaces were up and running, glass was being made, by late summer, '68; the Boffos did not arrive until October '69.

(Mark Hill's book, pp 21-4)

[Patrick]

On Tuesday May 12 1970 page 5 of the Malta Times there is a piece on Mdina

Hi Sue,
 The article appeared on this date when both Vicente and Ettore should have been working there.........

Regards,
               Patrick.