In this post I summarize my article published in October 2020 on the website of the ANTIPES Association.
Every passionate collector is forever linked to their memorabilia and in some way also to the history that concerns them ...
… Out of passion and curiosity I wanted to investigate to reconstruct and at the same time document the birth of this emblazoned brand which was based in Turin.
Until last year, the only certainty they knew of this brand was related to the first reel produced: the "Pelican 100" / starting from 1947 (as also exhibited in a very first ZANGI catalog in my possession - following photo).
Probably, for this reason it had long been believed that this famous company was born after WW-II.
After investigating for some time I was able to document that the real history of this brand was slightly more complex.
Thanks to what is stated in the copies of the official documents received by the Turin Chamber of Commerce, I was able to ascertain that the birth of the company is prior: the first official act is dated March 21, 1942.
On this date a private deed was drawn up, registered on March 26, 1942 at the "Provincial Council of Corporations" (current Chamber of Commerce), relating to the sale of the company (mechanical workshop) owned by engineer Osvaldo Massimini (son of Giovanni) to Veglio Zangirolami (son of Angelo) born on February 15, 1912 in Turin.
The company's headquarters will remain the same: in via Rosmini 9 in Turin.
Only three days later, on 24/03/1942, the registration of the company (Individual Company Report n.168576) as "Electromechanical Zangi - di Zangirolami Veglio" was also presented at the "Provincial Council of Corporations" of Turin.
This is the description of the type of activity:
"Electromechanical and light precision mechanical workshop for the processing and assembly of detached parts for aviation and marine equipment and engines".
An average number of 15 (male) workers is declared!
Being in full fascist regime, like any official documentation, this registration was also investigated by the district political officer (Podestà) with the affixing of his stamp and signature for approval.
It should also be noted that in the same document it is declared and ascertained that the complainant is of "Italian-Aryan" nationality!
Based on what has been discovered, I think it is quite clear that Veglio Zangirolami's intention was to be able to take advantage of the opportunity given by the war industry.
With the end of WW-II he thought of revolutionizing his initial idea on other productive sectors starting from 1946/1947; luckily for the many fans who love his fishing reels !
In 1955, March 17, the presentation to the Turin Chamber of Commerce of the change of the company name from "Electromechanical ZANGI" to "Mechanics ZANGI", both words are followed by the name of the owner, Veglio Zangirolami.
The correct activity of the company is also specified in the same document:
"Mechanical processing in general and manufacture of fishing reels"
In 1956, November 14, a change was recorded in the company's address, which moved to Via Challant 36, and also in the description of the definitive exercise in:
"Precision machining in general, own manufacturing of reels for fishing and spearguns for underwater hunting".
The last act registered at the Tornino Chamber of Commerce by Veglio Zangirolami, concerns the "Report of Cessation" of the activity, and is dated March 16, 1973.
What happened later I hope is now known, after about 30 years of activity ZANGI was sold to CopTes, a new company that was just born and owned by two partners, Giovanni Coppola and Silvio Tessa, who will continue its production for about a decade….
... but this is another important story!
To what was previously reported, I want to add a preview of a confidence that was revealed to me directly by my friend Giovanni Coppola (83 years old), the last owner of the ZANGI and ALCEDO brands:
Veglio Zangirolami was advised by his father Angelo who was the true mind of the company (which had allowed the real success of the brand).
For this reason, after Angelo's death, Veglio found himself in the position of having to sell the business due to his difficulties in managing everything!
I hope that what is reported is understandable and of good interest to many collector friends.
Sergio Di Marco
