1808 Madeira Kassab Sercial

Braheem Kassab was a Syrian embroidery merchant, born in 1891. After arriving in Madeira Island in 1916, it was not until two years later that he settled by the Portuguese Archipelago, continuing his embroidery business.

At first Braheem's brothers remained in New York to look after the retail business, but by 1921 Braheem found himself running his company alone. The turnaround in his life was about to happen.

During the Great Depression the local Reid-Castro bank fell into financial difficulties, and Kassab lent money to the institution. It was at this time that some 900 bottles stored at the Madeira Wine Association were added as security for the loan. Two years later, in 1933, Braheem called on this collateral when the bank was unable to meet its obligations. Braheem also bought a further 3700 bottles from William Reid and others from Father Vale, although from 1934 he stopped investing.

Although Braheem did not drink wine, it was served to his guests, and he stored the stock in the family home at Quinta Vinsano in Ajuda, located between Funchal and Câmara de Lobos.

The collection remained intact for a significant period, and it was not until 1970 that they were put up for auction.

(image is for illustrative purposes)