We have another “snapshot” of that factory, one taken by the Italian Association for the Wool Industry for the production of its periodical “yearbooks”. If in 1926, the company with its collective name, with its establishments in Ponzone and Cressa Fontaneto (Novara), was noted for the “complete processing of yarns and fabrics known as «truppa» and «motta», with yarn production using cotton waste”, exported mostly in the Indies, South America, the Far East and Tunisia, that of 1934 showed the establishments in Ponzone and Cureggio (Novara) which was appreciated for the “complete processing of yarns and fabrics in blended wool and cotton, in cotton and waste products, trouser fabrics and fancy worsteds.” It had increased its already wide export horizons, namely “across the world”. The workforce was made up of 75 men, 70 women and 2 office workers. The electric motor used was 100 HP. There were railway stations at Pianceri (Pray) and at Valle Mosso.
Pratrivero: a postcard from the 1930s. On the right, the small factory chimney of the Vitale Barberis Canonico factory can be seen.
So, a situation that offered a certain guarantee, but 1935 was a complicated year and 1936 was even more difficult. The company Vitale Barberis Canonico was established in 1936, during truly troubled times: the economic sanctions imposed on Italy, the war in the Horn of Africa and in Spain, the political instability in general… Immediately after the split of the company with his brother, Vitale Barberis Canonico, who gave his own name to his new company, was forced to temporarily suspend production because of a lack of raw materials. However, this had the desired positive effect. 1937 began with an upturn, which the newspapers welcomed in this way: “Where there is work, there is bread: this is how we like to say it, referring to the good news of the reopening of the two industrial establishments in Pratrivero belonging to the two brothers Oreste and Vitale Barberis Canonico. Our workers, for many months forced into imposed retirement, are extremely happy today, seeing that their dream of honest work will come true.”
To tell the truth, not to such a great extent, but that was the period of the maximum support for the regime. The Italians were confident. Poor, but confident. Fabrics and clothes bear witness to the situation. The colours fade, the “self-sufficiency” fibres dampen the brilliance of the pure wool, the fabrics become grainy. In the Historical Archives, the Botto and Tonella samples from those years Italianise the names of the articles, but nationalism does not always encourage style. In Paris, the colours stay bright, sometimes perhaps too bright, given the circumstances.
From the volume “Inverno 1937” (Lanificio Giovanni Tonella).
From the volume “Inverno 1937” (Lanificio Albino Botto). N.B. the reference to Isaia Levi may have related to the
founder of the company “Penne Aurora”.
In early November 1938, Giuseppe Barberis Canonico passed away. He had not been the head of the company for some time, but he was the figurehead of many companies which had arisen from his. “At the venerated age of 78, the hard-working mortal life of Cavalier Giuseppe Barberis Canonico, entrepreneur of our region, came to its end. The news of his passing spread quickly across the city and also in the surroundings, and immediately aroused feelings of deep regret. Giuseppe Barberis Canonico was very well-known. From an ancient Biellese family, he was the epitome of the more characteristic virtues of our region: tenacity and industriousness and he was unwilling to accept limitations. Many years ago, Giuseppe Barberis Canonico started his career, firstly on the factory floor, then as head of department, and then with his own small business, and with his intelligence and entrepreneurship, he understood how to create an organisation that today constitutes honour and pride not only for our region, but for Italian national industry. In his memory, we offer our most reverent salutations, and extend to all his family our most sincere condolences.” An article in “Il Popolo Biellese” of 3rd November 1938.
Some weeks later, the same newspaper reported that “the widespread unanimous mourning has already been mentioned, which was aroused in the Pratrivero population by the passing of Cavalier Giuseppe Barberis Canonico, the active and intelligent industrial leader who never in all his life missed an opportunity to benefit the institutions in his village. To increase the sense of gratitude among the population in memory of the deceased the news came yesterday that, on his deathbed, Cavalier Barberis Canonico left in his will the notable sum of 300,000 lire to the local nursery school, which, in recent days, celebrated its 40th anniversary.”
On 9th August 1939, Vitale was knighted Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Corona d’Italia, thus ostensibly taking the place of his father. One circle closed and another opened. With ideas of innovation, but also respect for tradition, and, in November 1941, “on the auspicious occasion of the birth of his second son, during the early hours of the 4th of this month – the 23rd anniversary of the Victory – Cavalier Vitale Barberis Canonico decided to distribute a day’s extra pay to all his workers. While they all offer their sincere thanks to Cavalier Vitale, they also send their most hearty felicitations to his wife and best wishes for a glowing future to the young hero.” Italy had been at war for 18 months. The easy conquests proved to be empty words. Fashion gave way to emergency and poverty.