Hello, hello, hello, what’s going on here then?
From the outside it looks like just another anonymous house swallowed in Birkirkara’s urban sprawl.
But inside, the home of retired police sergeant Joseph Borda is a miniature museum dedicated to worldwide law enforcement memorabilia.
As the front door closed firmly, the vast array of police shields and badges on the wall and table of old German helmets immediately caught the eye.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Mr Borda chuckled, as he wandered into the next room.
And he was right. Hats, badges, holsters and belts, full uniforms, handcuffs from the 1700s and even two riot shields from Northern Ireland: the room was full to bursting with valuable memorabilia.
There is no escaping Mr Borda’s handcuff collection. Photos: Chris Sant FournierMr Borda pointed out a Syrian police uniform, one from an Italian police band, and yet another from the Canadian Mounties.
He estimated he owns more than 700 hats and 4,000 patches.
With his thick Magnum PI facial hair, sturdy build and authoritative gait, Mr Borda looked every inch the no-nonsense policeman.
But there was no menace behind the moustache; Mr Borda’s guestbook provided evidence he has welcomed many a curious stranger into his home.
Germans, Australians, Kuwaitis... police memorabilia enthusiasts the world over have sought out Mr Borda’s house to view his treasure trove while in Malta.
Mr Borda joined the police force aged 18 in 1971 and began collecting memorabilia immediately. He would write to forces in far-off lands requesting patches, hats or anything else they would be willing to send or trade.
“Back then it was easy. When terrorism became an issue in the 1980s it became more difficult and now it’s impossible to get police forces to send their own stuff,” Mr Borda said.
These days he trades memorabilia online and has built up an admirable reputation with overseas collectors.
Mr Borda estimates his collection is among the biggest in Europe and would like the Government help to open a museum.
“But I’m scared the collection won’t belong to me anymore. I want to be the one who oversees the museum because I’m the one who knows the most about the memorabilia,” he said.
Upstairs there was still more: a cabinet full of police ornaments, folders full of American and Australian patches, revolvers on the wall...
Does his wife, Lillian, ever object to the encroachment of his passion into the living space? Mr Borda laughed: “She knew about my hobby when she married me.”
And his hobby has rubbed off on his family – his wife collects doll houses and coronation memorabilia, his youngest daughter has started a collection of antique cameras and his son prefers vintage hairdressing equipment.
With so many valuables on display, does he fret when children are in the house? “My little grandson was here recently and I let him play with anything he wanted.
“If he breaks something, I have plenty more.”
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15 Comments
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John M Grima
Sep 27th 2012, 20:33
Keep it up Joseph. Your collection will be quite a legacy.
Long time no see.
John Grima!
Denis A. Darmanin
Sep 27th 2012, 19:15
Well done Joe. I have followed your achievement and good reputation during the years.
As to those who wish Joe to get EU funding, rest assured that the EU doesn't give away money to any Tom, Dick and Harry! You have to be a registered NGO, etc., and with a lot of conditions thrown in.
While to those others who wish Joe to donate his collection for the country to enjoy, there's only one reply; Who had helped Joe find the funds to build his collection? Wasn't it from his salary as a policeman. I bet that very few items came for free, the rest he paid for. Talk is cheap but the costs of building such a lifetime collection means thousands of Euros. And you're having this from another smaller scale collector!
Well done Joe and you deserve a better place for them, but they're more secure and around you at home!
E. Azzopardi
Sep 27th 2012, 15:50
I have seen this memorabilia and I could not believe my eyes. It is such a wonderful collection and it will take you quite some time to go through it all. Here we have a treasure which we should look after.
I know Mr Borda has been trying to open a museum and in my opinion he should get all the help he deserves.
This would definitely be a major tourist attraction. Those responsible should start the ball rolling.
And let Mr Borda take charge of it all. I tell you, he knows what he is doing.
Ms.D. Galea
Sep 27th 2012, 12:16
Why cant EU funds be used to set up a professionally run museum for such artefacts?
John Baldacchino
Sep 27th 2012, 11:55
Well done Joe and keep up the good work.
I wait for the day that your dedicated hobby will be rewarded as appropriate and may be enjoyed by every one.
Your work deserves all the support and assistance from the authorities.
D. A . Agius
Sep 27th 2012, 11:29
Why not a collections museum? A mixed museum with collections provided by collectors?
A museum which celebrates the painstaking interest these people have and provide a museum that might be rare in other locations, satisfying curiosities of locals and foreigners alike?
Some of the collections could be rotated according to popularity and interests or occasions.
Pierre Micallef-Grimaud
Sep 27th 2012, 11:20
Keep up the good work Joe. If the Govt had to help set up a museum, surely you would be the one to manage it. You'd be employed to look after your own staff! Prosit and I think your collection is the largest one in Europe.
Emmanuel Caruana
Sep 27th 2012, 12:59
And most probably they can benefit from EU funds if they want .
Tony Borg
Sep 27th 2012, 10:46
PROSIT Karkariz..........................Maybe the current Police commissioner might try to dedicate some of their EU funded budget to help you establish this Museum for all to enjoy.
Svetlana Borg
Sep 27th 2012, 10:42
Such a collection could easily, I assume, benefit from EU Funds related to culture. Wouldn't it be great if the Government 'lends' an empty property in Valletta to this gentleman. It would be a magnificent museum prior to Valletta Cultural Capital. Come on, give a helping hand to this gentleman and you'll hit fulfill his dreams and get something in return from entry fees etc.
Vincent Borg
Sep 27th 2012, 10:37
Bongu Joe, kemm ilna hbieb dejjem nafek tigi wara l-passioni li ghandek ghal kollezzjoni,
u ghal ghajnuna li taghti lill dawk li jitolbuha.
Jekk il-memorja taghtini, Joe kien instrumentali hafna biex jinholoq il-muzew tal Pulizija.
Kompli Guz ghax naf li bhalissa hemm qieghed.
Dorielle Soler
Sep 27th 2012, 09:50
How interesting ..... lets hope the museum will materialise.
Emmanuel Caruana
Sep 27th 2012, 09:47
I've seen it and i know what Joe means when he says he wants to oversees the museum . All the help from the Authorities should be given to help Joe conserve his collection. Well done Joe.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Sep 27th 2012, 09:18
Prosit Joe,
I sincerely hope your dream will be fulfilled as I know of no other as passionate about his collection as you.
Eric Camilleri (Q)
Sep 27th 2012, 10:10
Joe is a genlteman and his passion for collecting memorabilia is impressive.
Please choose the reason of your report below: