The Notarial Archives Foundation and Din L-Art Ħelwa team up to preserve George Cross Volume at the Notarial Archives
Din L-Art Ħelwa has teamed up with the Notarial Archives Foundation to continue preserving the nation’s paper heritage. Following a recent visit to the Notarial Archives, organised by Din L-Art Ħelwa volunteers, Din L-Art Ħelwa has embarked on a series of fund-raising activities to sponsor the conservation of the original deed of the George Cross Volume at the Notarial Archives. The donation was made during a launch organised by Din L-Art Ħelwa.
The George Cross was awarded by King George VI to the Maltese nation for the valour and perseverance displayed during the Second World War on the 956th day of the War – 15 April 1942.
The volume sponsored by Din LArt Ħelwa contains a copy of the George Cross Grant issued by Buckingham Palace in 1942 and the enrolment of the act granting permission to place a representation of the George Cross on the Maltese flag drawn by the Chief Notary to Government, Dr Carmelo Farrugia on 7 February 1947.
The contract is between Frances Campbell Ross Douglas, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Island of Malta and its Dependencies, and Sir George Borg, Chief Justice and President of His Majesty’s Court of Appeal, “wherein King George VI being desirous that for the greater honour and distinction of the Island of Malta” grants that a representation of the George Cross proper is placed on a canton azure to be borne for the Island of Malta and its dependencies upon seals, shields, banners or otherwise according to the law of arms.
The deed was published in the Hall of St Michael and St George at the Governor’s Palace, Valletta in the presence of Monsignor Michael Gonzi, Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta. The Maltese population had undergone a complete disruption of everyday life, having faced food shortages and been the target of incessant bombings by the Axis forces. The volume preserves the record of this significant part of Maltese history and that of its people.
The volume also contains other notarial deeds, such as sales of land with accompanying site plans, reconstruction of war damaged accommodation and the supply of provisions and fuel. These add to the high value of notarial deeds which preserve aspects of Malta’s past and of the culture of its popu- lation.
The conservation treatment of this volume sponsored by Din L-Art Ħelwa will require various interventions, such as surface cleaning, removal of old repairs, spine repair and cover repair. Furthermore, a protective enclosure will be created to house the volume safely and securely. All treatments will be carried out using the highest quality grade conservation materials and following current and international conservation practice and work ethic.
This sponsorship is of great significance to the Notarial Archives Foundation since support from another non-governmental organisation, such as Din l-Art Ħelwa, itself dependent on the private sector for funding, is greatly appreci- ated and it is hoped that this initiative will continue to set an example for other organisations, companies and the private sector to become active contributors in the Notarial Archives Foundation’s mission to preserve our nation’s paper heritage for future generations.