History
In July 2003 the Philatelical and Numismatic Club has celebrated 25 years of its foundation. In fact, the Club was born in January 1978 in the bookshop of Mr. Remo Mattioli, in via Marta Tana, hosting today the Municipal Tourist Board of Castiglione delle Stiviere. In September 1978 the Club moved to a new seat in Via Pretorio 17, by courtesy of Mr. G. Bignotti, one of the member of the Club. The Association recollects people who love stamp-collecting, numismatic, in addition to history and traditions of the past. Its first President, from 1978 to 1980, was Mr. Luigi Cavalieri.
Among the past realizations appear the commemorative postmark of Padre Costanzo Beschi and the envelope with the special postmark for the 150th anniversary of Henry Dunant’s birth. From 1980 to 1984 the President of the Club was Mr. Benedetto Scalari; during this period a card was realized to celebrate Giuseppe Garibaldi. In 1985 the Club faced a break till Mr. Enos Rizzi was appointed President. A series of cards with stamps were prepared on the occasion of the Historic Aloisiano Processions, precisely on 19th June 1988; 25th June 1989; 17th June 1990; 9th June 1991. On 22nd June 1991 the Club realized a card and a stamp especially for the Pope’s coming to Castiglione delle Stiviere; finally, with this occurrence the collection of the most important events in St. Luigi Gonzaga’s life was completed. On 25th September 1993 there was the inauguration of the 150th anniversary of the Social Theatre with an exhibition of documents and pictures of that time. On 23rd June 1996, for the Bicentenary of the battle of Castiglione, the Association prepared a historic recollection of such event. In occasion of the spectacle dedicated to St. Luigi Gonzaga, on 21st June 1997, there was a historic exhibition of local cards from the beginnings of the XXth century to 1950.
In 1999 Mr. Maurizio Mutti was appointed President and today he is still in office (the term of office will expire at the end of 2005). Among the initiatives of the Association figures the exhibition for the Carabineers (May 30, 1999) in collaboration with A.N.C. (National Association of Carabineers on Leave). On 21st June 2000, “the Jubilee of 2000”: the realization of special cards with postmark and medals of the Jubilee; furthermore, the exhibition of paintings and Aloisiano iconographies. On 21st June 2001,“Pagine di storia castiglionese” took place. A photographic exhibition of personalities in different events: cultural, religious and political. For this special occasion 350 pictures were recollected from private files. On 23rd September 2001, the Club organized for Mosaico Scienze the exhibition “Oggetti contadini del 900”: a postmark and a card were realized. On 23rd June 2002, the anniversary of the foundation of the Club (25 years); we have organized an exhibition for the youngest in the Town Hall: the so called “Mostra del fumetto”, with a futuristic card and postmark. On 29th December 2002 and on 20 December 2003 the Association realized the exhibition “Rassegna dei presepi”: cards and postmarks with Christmas themes. In June 2004 “Iconografie Aloisiane”: the most significant places in St. Luigi Gonzaga’s life; posters with pictures were exposed to remind the Pope’s visit in 1991, in addition to some medals of the places visited by John Paul II during his 25 years Pontificate. On 18th December 2004 opening of the ex Asilo Menghini “Palazzo Menghini” with card, postmark and medal. The Town Hall Administration prepared the exhibition “Castiglione attraverso i secoli” with maps, pictures, archaeological findings and aerial view of the town.
Nowadays the Association has realized special postmarks with relative cards and they are all exposed in the permanent exhibition of the Municipal Tourist Board of Castiglione; then, if you are reading these pages you will understand that the Club is also present in the Internet.