Espresso coffee, certainly the most popular example of the ”Italian way of life” in the world. The re-discovery of the fascinating evolution of this typically Italian habit, since the beginning of the Twentieth century, and during the roaring years of the “Bel Paese” and of its society. A story starting from an original perspective – that of espresso coffee machines and of their evolution -, going through the pages of "Espresso made in Italy 1901 - 1962" (Enrico Maltoni’s Collection, 160 pages, 21x28 size; World Edition: Eur. 50.00). After the success of the first edition, distributed into thousands of copies all over the world, the book edited by Italian collector Enrico Maltoni (in collaboration with architect-designer, Giuseppe Fabris) is now available in an enriched and more detailed version (16 new pages).

The text is the only publication in the world describing the most important sixty years of espresso coffee, through the analysis of the technical and even the stylistic development of coffee bar machines. Enrico Maltoni’s book goes back in time to the historical date of November 1901, which marks the birth in Milan of the first patented "Bezzera" model, the first Italian espresso machine. From this fundamental moment onwards, going through the pages of "Espresso made in Italy 1901 - 1962 ", the reader can follow the development of coffee bar machines, step by step, from the early examples – true brass and copper sculptures enriched with Art Nuveau and Art Decò fashion decorations – to the coffee machines which have marked in the Fifties the “union” between design and industrial production. These high-value pieces of art are all marked by the big names of Italian design - Giò Ponti, Bruno Munari, Enzo Mari, Achille e Piergiacomo Castiglioni and Marco Zanuso. Even if you don’t particularly like coffee and its fascinating industry, you can’t resist the charm of the coffee machines depicted – from the Art Nuveau "Victoria Arduino" model of 1910 to the classic-style "Gaggia" of 1948 (the first lever machine), including the coffee machine produced by "La Pavoni" trademark and designed by Gio Ponti (one of the first horizontally-positioned boiler espresso machines, of which a few examples still remain in the world), the Cimbali “Gran Luce” model of 1958 (inspired by American juke-box design), and, finally, the Faema “Marte" model of 1952, which draws inspiration from the American Cadillac and Buick cars of those years.

“Espresso Made in Italy 1901-1962” second edition: A 60-year history of espresso coffee machines Details: Format 21X28 Pages 160 200 images Cost for 1 copy: Eur. 50.00 for Europe (cost includes VAT and shipping cost) CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK:

In addition to the marvellous images and photos of different coffee machines (the new edition includes over 200 photos), mostly property of Mr. Maltoni’s long-established private collection (which can be fully explored by visiting the curious Coffee Machines Museum in Bertinoro, northern Italy), the reader can appreciate vintage patents and wonderful coffee ads from the old days. In this second edition, you can’t miss out its unique material, never published before – such as the first Gaggia advertisement on how to prepare the coffee cream, dating back to the Forties, and a curious page from “La Domenica del Corriere”, the Italian newspaper of the Fifties, where the explosion of coffee machine in a bar is reported together with the customers’ scare and shock. Once you have finished to glance through this elegant book, in addition to the pleasure of reading, why don’t you enjoy yourself by identifying the book marvellous espresso machines by visiting the Italian most fashionable cafés or those of your countries? These fascinating places often show off their elegant old “ladies” in a perfectly restored condition – as in the roaring years, they still brew thousands of coffees and say “good morning” to all Italians, every day. The book is available in bookshops or easily purchaseable in our website. Click here to purchase the book.

Enrico Maltoni’s Collection
tops to 30 exhibitions

After successfully concluding the exhibition at the London Tea&Coffee Bramah Museum, Mr. Maltoni can now reap the harvest of his hard work, commenced with full engagement and devotion 6 years ago. The 30 exhibitions topped today have all been realized in prestigious Italian and foreign locations, a result which must be added to the over 16,000 record visits gained by the Coffee Machines Collection - and to the Prize SCAE won in 2006 – all signals which confirm that the collector is going on the right way.

After the recent success obtained with the exhibition at the London Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee, concluded on 26th of November, Enrico Maltoni’s Collection is now closing the year 2006 with a positive balance of 30 exhibitions since the year 2000.
Thanks to the important partnerships established with great coffee brands such as Lavazza and Rancilio, the objectives achieved in Italy have been extended to the rest of the world, touching prestigious locations not only in Italy, but also abroad. The number of visitors is undoubtedly remarkable (over 30,000 during the last year only), as well as the high visibility obtained in the media by the Collection (the Press Review is available on the website).
During the last year only, as many as 6 exhibitions have been realized, with two important destinations abroad – the Bulthaup Gallery in St. Petersburg (19-28 April) and the Bramah Tea & Coffee Museum in London (18-26 November) – and four in Italy – at Villa Revedin in Bologna (12-15 August), at the Vetrine al Caffè Zucca at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan (1-30 August), at the Chamber of Commerce in Trieste (31 October – 5 November) and, finally, at the Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia (31 October – 12 November).
As a completion of this excellent season, Mr. Maltoni has been awarded (directly by hand of the Vice-President SCAE - Massimiliano Fabian) with the prestigious SCAE Prize - Excellence of Coffee 2006, for the category “The Young Entrepreneur Award”, conferred last May in Bern – Switzerland, during the annual SCAE World of Coffee event, which have taken place in the halls of the former Casino of the city.

The encouraging results achieved up to present are the key factors for the Collection to continue to pursue its objectives in the next future. An example are the new events planned for the agenda  2007: next spring, the exhibition will be in Albany in cooperation with the Italian Institute of Culture in Tirana, but also in the very central Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, with the sponsorship of the City Hall and the Province of Naples, the Regione Campania and the well-known Caffè del Professore. The year will conclude with a special exhibition in Santarcangelo di Romagna – Rimini, where as many as 60 coffee machines will be shown to the public in three different museums of the town, becoming the largest exhibition ever realized.
But the projects does not stop here! The Collezione Enrico Maltoni will also organize a series of cultural initiatives to study the lives and works of great Italian designers such as Gio Ponti, the brothers Castiglioni, Enzo Mari, Marco Zanuso, Pininfarina and many others, who have devoted their attention to the creation of espresso coffee machines and Italian design.