In our museum archive we keep a document that is an eloquent testimony to the ambitions and international fame of the Bílina springs. It is a contractual amendment from March 9, 1947, signed by the Max Lobkowicz Springs Directorate in Bílina. This document is not just a dry legal text; it captures the “last breath” of free enterprise in Bohemia before the fateful year of 1948.
Bílina as a center of the world market
The most interesting point of the document is the scope of the territory for which the Directorate of Springs negotiated exclusive representation. The contract with the Swiss director W. Putterknecht concerned:
- United States of America (USA)
- Mexico
- Central and South America (including adjacent islands)
- It is fascinating to realize that in March 1947, Bílina mineral water and Zaječická bitter water were perceived as premium goods ready for massive expansion across the American continent. The document proves that Bílina was a true European center of mineral water trade at that time.
Purchase of Mattoni ag by Max Lobkowicz
You can notice a unique connection on the document. Even though the letterhead belongs to Max Lobkowicz, at the end, next to his stamp, there is the signature and stamp of the joint-stock company Jindřich Mattoni (Kysibl-Kyselka near Karlovy Vary), which was already owned by Max Lobkowicz at the time.
- Bílinská sour wine (Biliner Sauerbrunn)
- Zaječická bitter (Saidschitzer Bitter-Wasser)
- Mattoni's Acid (Giesshübler)
- Crown (Krondorf)
These four "pearls" of the Czech spa industry formed a common export package (so-called spring products), for which the contract guaranteed minimum purchases even in the difficult post-war years.
People in the background: Who made history?
documentary
ment mentions specific personalities who were at the helm of the Bílina enterprise:
Max Lobkowicz: Owner and diplomat who tried to maintain the family legacy in turbulent times.
Director Jelínek and Mr. Zita: Key managers of the Bílina headquarters who led direct negotiations with foreign partners.
Jan Hrdlička: Plenipotentiary of the Swiss party in Prague, who mediated contact between Bílina and Western Europe.
Why is this document important today?
For the Bílina Museum, this sheet of paper is a reminder of our professional pride. It shows that the tradition we cherish today was built over centuries on a world-class level. When we bottle mineral waters in Bílina today, we are continuing the work of generations who were not afraid to export our natural wealth to the coast of Mexico or to the streets of New York.
This document is part of the digital archive of the Bílina Museum and can be viewed in our exhibition dedicated to the history of the princely bottling plant.
