The Illustrated World, above all due to the great wealth of wood engravings (some by Gonin) that enriched it, was a very expensive undertaking for Pomba, who immediately aimed at a high circulation, despite the significant selling price of the weekly issues (80 cents); but the results did not correspond to expectations, despite the favorable political climate that had opened with the Carlo-Albertine reforms and the conquest of freedom of the press; and at the end of 1848 Pomba's company had to close with a significant deficit. Among the collaborators of the periodical we remember G. Strafforello, C. Balbo, C. Cantù, G. Massari, G. Dina, D. Carutti, R. Bonghi, C. Matteucci. For a detailed reconstruction of this story, see Historical catalog of the Pomba and UTET editions, pp. 292-5: "(Initiative) which summarized the most direct political commitment of the company, faithful to the liberal and constitutional aspirations cultivated for decades in the wake of its most faithful and long-standing collaborator, Cesare Balbo". Bottasso, Annali Pomba, n. 424; Bertoni-Jovine, n. 421. Basso Foundation, The Periodicals, n. 254: "Il Mondo Illustrato had a difficult life, but it carried out an important political action. Its action concentrated above all on railways and trade. It carried out its action of political education by fighting reactionaries and municipalists, inciting governments to reform, supporting the Pontiff in his uncertainties, enthusiastically following the progress of the reforms".