De Agostini UK Ltd is the leading partwork publisher in the United Kingdom. In addition to the UK, the company publishes its titles in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Malta.

De Agostini UK Ltd is part of the international De Agostini group of companies with its head office in Milan. The parent company was founded in Italy in 1901.

Today, the group employs over 2000 people and publishes in 33 countries with 26 local offices.

1901
The geographer Giovanni De Agostini establishes the Istituto Geografico De Agostini in Rome.

1904
The First Calendar Atlas is published by De Agostini.

1908
The Istituto moves its offices to Novara in Northern Italy.

1919
The company is purchased by Marco A. Boroli and Cesare A. Rossi. They strengthen the cartography business with the assistance of Scientific Director Luigi Visintin.

1922
The first issue of Grande Atlante Geografico (The Atlas of the World) is published.

1927
The company begins to diversify its editorial production. The first printing press (a foglio rotocalcografica) is purchased.

1946
The company becomes wholly owned by the Boroli family. Driven by Achille Boroli and his brother Adolfo, its major expansion begins.

1959
The first issue of the Encyclopaedia Il Milione is published. This marks the beginning of the partwork era.

1962
The company creates the 'door-to-door' sales sector in order to distribute encyclopaedias.

1970-1984
The Istituto Geografico De Agostini, as publisher, becomes the strategic centre of the group. It pursues its objectives to expand globally and develop a strong partwork portfolio, using various new distribution channels.

1984-2000
The group operates in over 30 countries worldwide. The main factors contributing to its success can be identified as: efficient media planning; exchange of best global practices; creation of new market segments; relationships with renowned endorsers; the creation of multimedia products; and marketing strategy and product innovation.

2001
The group celebrates its centenary.

2003
New business interests include movie production, distribution, lotteries and insurance.

2004
Debut of the De Agostini Editore S.p.A., which, by the end of 2005, will control all the various sectors of the publishing business.

Since the publication of our first partwork in 1959, De Agostini has been constantly expanding and updating its range of products.

Our catalogue includes major works on general culture, art, history and geography, as well as practical cooking manuals, DIY books, language and computer courses, music and film collections, and children's and teenagers' books.