November 5, 2009
NEWLY DISCOVERED DIPLOMA OF THE INFLUENTIAL 17th CENTURY ITALIAN, LUDOVICO INCONTRI
ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM; CONNECTED WITH GALILEO
Manuscript:
[Illuminated Manuscript in Latin on Vellum] [Ludovico Attilo Incontri] PATENTI NOBILIARI E LAUREE; Diploma di Laurea. Pisa, 1626. 225 x 165 mm. 6 ff., i.e. 10 pages. Illuminated opening coat of arms, illuminated throughout in pure gold lettering, wax seal. Very fine 17th century Italian goatskin binding with elaborate gold tooling. Complete.
This manuscript is a highly important diploma of Ludovico Attilo Incontri. The Incontri Family had its origins in Volterra. Ludovico Attilio Incontri, who eventually settled in Florence after his education in Pisa, held many important roles in 17th century Italian political life. The Palazzo Incontri, which was acquired by the Incontri family in 1676, still stands next to the Duomo in Florence. Ludovico Attilo Incontri was also connected with Galileo’s circle and likely knew him from the rich intellectual milieu of Pisa. Surviving letters between the two show Lodovico Incontri sent Galileo “two flasks of sour cherry wine from La Pietraia”, inviting him to inform His Highness should he desire others. On May 9, 1638, Galileo declared he was willing to visit the Grand Duke who was staying at the villa. [See: Galileo Galilei, Eugenio Albèri, Celestino Bianchi, Vincenzio Viviani., Le opere di Galileo Galilei, Vol. X. Florence, 1853]
Partial Transcript:
“IN DEI NOMINE AMEN: IULIANUS MEDICES, Dei et Apostolicae sedis gratia Archiepiscopus Pisanus, Insularum Sardiniae et Corsicae Primas, et dicte sedis Apostolicae in eis Legatus natus, nec non Pisani Almi Gymnasii Apostolica Cesareaque authoritate Cancellarius; eoque in infrascripto actu absente, NOS BENEDICTUS Leolus Pisanus, I. U. D., Archidiaconus Primatialis Ecclesiae Pisarum Prothonotarius Apostolicus, Vicarius ac Locumtenens generalis ab eo ad infrascripta omnia et singula specialiter constitutus et deputatus; universis et singulis presentes nostras inspecturis salutem in Domino sempiternam. Cum, inter ceteras in toto orbe terrarum venerandas et famosas Academias et clarissimorum Doctorum Universitates, Pisana multis ornamentis et privilegiis honestata maxime fulgeat, in qua etiam ad Doctoratus et Magisterii publicam et eminentem dignitatem, Pontificia et Caesarea authoritate, sublimantur et extolluntur illi quos, longo exercitio, labore, studio, disciplina et ingenio, summis vigiliis, omni denique conatu et nixu, spretis et relictis voluptatum illecebris, se se doctrinae penitus dantes, sacras et pene divinas Canonicam Civilemque scientias adeptos, maximis laudibus ac verissimis testimoniis accurate reperit probatissimos, et quos certamen generalis et rigorosi examinis, coram Nobis et Venerando Iurisconsultorum Collegio, per concurrentem virtutum copiam meritorumque excellentiam ita promovet ut doctoreis infulis, privilegiis, prerogativis, honoribus et dignitatibus veniant decorandi; Cum itaque egregius ac eruditus Vir, moribus modestus, ingenio acatissimus, doctrina preditus et scientiarum cognitione praeclarus, Adm: RDominus Ludovicus Incontrius Patritius Volaterranus Fil per Illustrius Dominus Attilii, Equitis D. Stephanus, ac Prioris Austrie qui, sua florente etate, in caeleberrimo PISANO Gymnasio per quinquennium, assiduis exercitatus vigiliis, in Pontificio et Caesareo sollicitam et curiosam operam iugiter impendit et navavit, scholasticosque actus arguendo, conferendo, disputando et exercendo, de hinc fuerit legittime coram Nobis Vicario et Vicecancellario prefato presentatus per Mag.cos et Eximios Viros, in Utraque Censura Doctores, Excell.mos Dominum … ”
Auction Records for comparison:
1. PATENTI NOBILIARI E LAUREE – Laurea in Diritto Canonico e Civile a Sebastiano Cuzardo. MANOSCRITTO MINIATO SU PERGAMENA, Messina, 1627. 8°. 200 x 145 mm. 4 carte. ($9,395) Sale 2490 libri autografi e stampe 15 June 2006. See: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4732877&sid=7359d83a-2022-4897-b704-140b36442f75
2. PATENTI NOBILIARI E LAUREE – Officium et Dignitatem Doctoratus et magisterij in Lib. Art. et Sac.Medicina licentia…Exc.mo D.Ioannes Franciscus Polentzi Silesius Cilcensis. Bologna, 1683. ($16,372) Sale 2475 libri e autografi 15 December 2005 Rome. See: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4637405&sid=7359d83a-2022-4897-b704-140b36442f75
