Bertolami Fine Art Auction: Hats of the General Who Defied Mussolini

Bertolami Fine Art will auction 182 lots of militaria and chivalric orders on June 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli in Rome, featuring two exceptional collections: the medal collection of Admiral Giovanni Sechi and a selection of headgear and uniforms from the Marco Pittaluga Collection. The exhibition runs June 3–4. Sechi (1871–1948), a World War I hero, rose to Admiral and served as Minister of the Royal Navy (1919–1921) and Senator (1920–1943). His medals include a rare Navy Distinguished Service Medal from the U.S. Navy, rarely awarded to foreigners. The Pittaluga Collection includes a set of four hats (lots 76–79) belonging to General Giuseppe Valle (1886–1975), a dirigible pilot in WWI who became Chief of Staff of the Royal Air Force and Undersecretary of State (1934–1939). In September 1939, Valle was among the chiefs of staff who opposed Italy's entry into World War II alongside Hitler, citing unpreparedness. His hats, made by S. Cardia of Rome and Coruzzolo, exemplify high military tailoring. Another rarity is lot 137: a rare general's cap from the Second Mexican Empire (1863–1867), inspired by French military headgear.