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[MALTA – PRIVATEERING] DELLA GHERARDESCA, Francesco (18th ce…
See original version (Italian)
19
-
[MALTA – PRIVATEERING] DELLA GHERARDESCA, Francesco (18th ce…
See original version (Italian)
Estimate €800 - €1,200
Voluntary lot
Description
[MALTA – PRIVATEERING] DELLA GHERARDESCA, Francesco (18th century). Seven autograph letters exchanged with Francesco Antonio Mansi concerning the naval activities of the Order of Malta. Florence, 1764.
An interesting collection of correspondence relating to the Order of Malta, comprising six letters sent in 1764 to Francesco Antonio Mansi, a Knight of Malta from a prominent family in Lucca who had previously taken part, in 1728–1729, in a convoy aboard the Order’s galleys. The correspondent, Francesco Giuseppe della Gherardesca, a member of the Tuscan count’s family and Receiver of the Order in Florence, discusses commissions and affairs of the Order, payments and matters to be dealt with by the Maltese government. Of particular interest are the political and military reports received directly from the island. Della Gherardesca relays information from the *lettere pubbliche di Malta* and reports on the movements of the *galere della Sagra Religione*, their operations and encounters with Turkish vessels. In a letter dated Florence, 18 September 1764, he records the return of the galleys and their operations against Barbary and Turkish shipping, providing a contemporary account of the Order’s naval activities and privateering during the second half of the eighteenth century. The correspondence thus documents the administrative and information network linking Malta and Tuscany, combining the affairs of the Florentine Receiver’s office with reports on the operations of the Hospitaller fleet.
7 autograph manuscript letters, signed, addressed to Francesco Antonio Mansi in Lucca, written in brown ink on paper (creases, foxing and signs of wear; ink showing through from the reverse on some leaves). (7)
See original version (Italian)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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