Q&A session conducted by email 4-30-09 with a Friend in Belgium regarding the Ideale (T&B) connection with the BIM Saddle Brand.
Question: "K, Do you know how Ideale (Tron & Berthet) was involved with the making of BIM saddles? Thanks, J"
Answer: "hi J, this is what I heard : the last years of their existance, Ideale received a lot of money from the french government. during that period, they made the BIM saddles. there is a guy in Brussels that is related to the Ideale family, and he told me so. k"
Question: "K, Do you mean his relation to the Tron or Berthet family or connection to the Ideale Company? J"
Answer: "hi, he is married with a cousin or niece of the tron/berthet family. k"
Question: "K, So, BIM would have been made in the late 70's -early 80's? J"
Answer: "must be that period it is possible that we visit the guy next month will ask him for more details K"
Question: "K, Do you note any difference in the quality of a BIM vs. IDEALE? J"
Answer: "IN MY OPINION the bim had softer/souple leather !!! it felt better and softer than the ideale. correction : the guy from brussels : his niece (cousin) was married with the director (owner) of the ideale factory. k"
To be continued...
Jay "suspecting France was first to provide TARP (Tron Asset Relief Program) Funds" Dubiel Halifax, VA USA