Berlin Tailor "L.H. Berger, Collani & Co."

[JasonA]

Hey guys,

I had posted a request for photos of labels and name tags from this tailor in the Heer and Luftwaffe uniform forums. I'm looking for as many samples as possible for a project I'm researching.

I just found out that this tailor was well-known for tailoring KM uniforms; so much so that NCO pea coats were often referred to as "Collanis."

So I figured I'd post my appeal for help here as well; perhaps I'll have more luck. Anything you could post (or send me personally if you'd prefer to keep any photos private) would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jason

[Norm F]

Hey guys,

I had posted a request for photos of labels and name tags from this tailor in the Heer and Luftwaffe uniform forums. I'm looking for as many samples as possible for a project I'm researching.

I just found out that this tailor was well-known for tailoring KM uniforms; so much so that NCO pea coats were often referred to as "Collanis."

So I figured I'd post my appeal for help here as well; perhaps I'll have more luck. Anything you could post (or send me personally if you'd prefer to keep any photos private) would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jason

Hi Jason,

Unfortunately I don't have any labels to show, but my understanding from previous browsings was that the company was "Berger & Colani", based in Kiel. Just wondering where you got the name "Berger, Colani & Co."? I'm not saying that's wrong, just wondering which is correct.

Also my understanding was the correct spelling was "Colani" with one L, and that it was often simply mispelled "Collani"?

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

Hi Jason,

When I did a search on "Berger, Collani & Co." I came across a German language forum where a member named Andi (forum name "takuda") gave the name "BERGER, COLLANI & CO Hoflieferant Sr. Majestät des Kaisers und Königs" with offices in both Kiel and Wilhelmshaven. However he went on to say that he had heard that there was no Mr. Collani in the firm just Mr. Berger and Collani was just in the name.

Unfortunately all heresay, so I hope you do find out more on this topic and let us know!

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

In this short article from Der Spiegel in 1977, http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-40915622.html it again states "Berger, Collani & Co., Hoflieferanten Sr. Majestät" like you thought, but here states that it was a famous Berlin company with branches in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven. Reputable journal but doesn't give any references.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

Hey, check this out. A list of tradesmen from 1907 with appointments to King Edward VII which includes "Berger, Collani & Co. L.H."

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu...es/11/page.pdf

So I was wrong earlier and the correct spelling does indeed seem by "Collani" with two "L"s.

Wouldn't it be interesting if this German company was also supplying Collanis to the British Navy?

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

From "Berlin und Die Berliner" 1905:
"L. H. Berger, Collani & Co., Militär-Effektengeschäft, Lindenstr. 25, Hoflieferanten"
so you were right about the initials, and now we have an address as well.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

From German e-Bay

[Norm F]

They also distributed naval officers' swords made by WKC and marked their name into the blade.

[Norm F]

official letter seal from this site:
http://www.veikkos.com/bibliodetails.php?II=97223

[JasonA]

Wow, Norm. All I can do is extend a sincere and profuse thank you!



This is all great stuff! I had seen a photo of a sword with them listed as the distributor, but the photos were unclear and I couldn't see the marking as I can here. Fabulous!

It looks like as of 1912 (per that postcard photo you found on eBAY), their earlier Berlin address was different, as the few tailor label/name-tag photos I have to-date show them at Berlin S.W. 68, Friedrichstr. 210. That address is of 1939, at least, and through 1941, at least.

I will look forward to spending some time with your links and photos tomorrow, and will reply again then.

In the meantime, if anybody has any uniform tailor labels and name tags, it would be an immense help if you were able to post them!

Thanks again, Norm.

Best regards,

Jason

[JustinG]

Norm, your database is indeed something to be cherished by every member on this forum. You always post such well organized and research is very complete. This is awesome info passed on here. Again, thanks for sharing this info.

Regards,
JustinG

[Norm F]

Norm, your database is indeed something to be cherished by every member on this forum.

Thanks, Justin. Only my "database" is mainly just the internet and Google plus a somewhat obsessive tendency.

Anyway, I also found online this now public domain "New Theatre Almanac" from 1890 with ads in the back including an interesting ad from Berger, Collani & Co. Looking at this ad you can see they were a big outfit dealing in theater costumes, men's attire, uniforms both military and civil, riding and civilian suits with the headquarters in Berlin but also branches (Filialen) in Königsberg in Preussen, Kiel, Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Metz and Mainz. Furthermore, they had "agencies" (not sure what that means really) in Potsdam, Strassburg and Posen and were associated with a firm called J. Jacob, "successor" (Nachflg.) of L.H. Berger.

At the bottom of the ad it lists what seems to be subsidiary company "Collani & Co." at the same Berlin address, dealing in trimmings and embroidery in gold, silver and silk.

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

At the bottom of the ad it lists what seems to be subsidiary company "Collani & Co." at the same Berlin address, dealing in trimmings and embroidery in gold, silver and silk.

Here's a letter seal for the subsidiary company, Collani & Co. Not only did they provide gold and silver embroidery and trimmings but also, it seems, military insignia (Militär-effecten).

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

It looks like as of 1912 (per that postcard photo you found on eBAY), their earlier Berlin address was different, as the few tailor label/name-tag photos I have to-date show them at Berlin S.W. 68, Friedrichstr. 210. That address is of 1939, at least, and through 1941, at least.

Hi Jason,

It appears we have three Berlin addresses so far:
1) 1890 to 1905 - Lindenstrasse 25
2) 1912 to 1914 - Friedrichstrasse 62
3) 1939-1941 - Friedrichstrasse 210 (Could you please post that evidence?)

Best regards,
---Norm

[Norm F]

3) 1939-1941 - Friedrichstrasse 210 (Could you please post that evidence?)

Ah, here's a 1939 Berlin directory showing the address (also the year the company was founded).

Best regards,
---Norm