A stamp from the series “Excellences of Italian Cultural Heritage” celebrates the 250th anniversary of Libreria Bocca, a historic bookstore present in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II since 1936.
This philatelic tribute to Italy’s oldest bookstore, which originally opened in Turin in 1775, was designed by artist Ugo Nespolo. It was presented today at Palazzo Marino during a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, Libreria Bocca’s manager Giorgio Lodetti, Valentina Coen for the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, and Annamaria Gallo for Poste Italiane. Councilors Alessia Cappello (Economic Development) and Emmanuel Conte (Budget and Real Estate Assets) also took part in the event.
“The issuing of this commemorative stamp is an important and necessary recognition of a business that has contributed and continues to contribute to the cultural growth of Milan,” commented Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala. “Libreria Bocca is a special place, an indispensable point of reference for art lovers, thanks to which the Galleria and our city have gained greater prestige and beauty. Today, therefore, we celebrate 250 years of an institution that continues to promote art and culture among Milanese citizens, making Milan increasingly attractive, culturally vibrant, and dynamic.”
Throughout its two and a half centuries of life, Libreria Bocca has opened locations in various cities, including Paris, Florence, Rome, Turin, and Milan, where the Lodetti family has managed it since the late 1970s.
Libreria Bocca was one of the first businesses to open a location in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Last May, the Municipality of Milan renewed the concession for the space until 2037. With the new contract, the business will exceed a century of presence in Milan’s ‘Drawing Room’ (‘Salotto’).
Recognized as a Historical Italian Venue (Locale Storico d’Italia) with the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the bookstore received the ‘Bottega Storica’ (Historic Shop) designation from the Municipality of Milan in 2005 and the Historical Venue recognition from the Lombardy Region in 2006. Furthermore, Libreria Bocca was named a “Place of the Heart” (Luogo del cuore) by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano, the National Trust for Italy).
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