Nr. 4, November-December 2017

he true joy which is experienced in the family is not something random and fortuitous. It is a joy produced by deep harmony among people, which allows them to savour the beauty of being together, of supporting each other on life’s journey. Francis

Happy Holidays Architectural “Masks” in the Library

The Architect Marco Petreschi has established a friendly relationship with the Vatican Apostolic Li- brary, to which he has recently donated a collection of his own drawings, destined for the General Drawings Collection. Within the group of drawings, we can find designs for an underground library that drew its inspi- ration from the Piranesi , as well as different archi- tectural projects that stimulate the imagination of even an untrained observer. Professor Petreschi, an academic in Composition- al Architecture in as well as abroad, is a visiting professor and guest lecturer at several universities in America and Europe. It has been said that he is “an author, who, heedless of the trends in style that have traversed Italy in recent decades, has unflinchingly fol- lowed his own path, a path that may be characterized as ironical in its attitude towards current affairs and their claims to power, physical in his affectionate rela- tionship with materials and techniques to master them, subject to design as a complete and aesthetic control of space, never indifferent to history but careful to create a proper distance from it” (L. Molinari, 2007). The architectural proposals of Marco Petreschi are the fruit of a journey undertaken along the roads which span across history; the artisan identifies himself with the eras that he visits, and continues to put on the “dress” of each. The artist explains: “The architectural masks that I wear, which I put on while I draw, are use- ful to me every time I feel the need to exorcise con- straining circumstances that would limit the creativity of my work. This is a true means of escape from the op- pressive mentality of materialism and speculative eco- nomics. I do everything I can so as not to drown from the boredom, the indifference or the cynicism that pervade our society on a major scale.” His technical expertise blends with both imagination and elements from his strong personal sensitivity, on a journey that produces vivid, engaging and attractive “sights.” Piranesi’s “Another View of the Temple of the Sybil” has been Restored

he art piece, “Another View of the Temple of Sybil” (c. 1760) by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1778), stored in the Ashby Collection (Ashby Stampe Cartella Piranesi 15 (19)), has just been restored thanks to the contribu- tion of Ars Graphica of Rome. This international associa- tion dedicated to culture, aims to create alliances among art historians specialized in prints and drawings, in order to encourage the exchange of ideas, and in particular, to promote the graphic arts as an opportunity for such ex- changes on the scientific and methodological level. This work, which is among the ones that the artist made to represent the monument of the ancient city of Tibur, is part of the great series the “Views of Rome”, which Piranesi began to etch during the second half of the 1740s, and which he continued to embellish in subse- quent years by including the illustrations of monuments outside of Rome, as in this case. Together with the series of the “Prisons”, this piece represents the most famous and well-known work ever produced by the artist. The print, which showed mechanical damages in the margins, as well as tears and holes of various sizes, re- ceived a mechanical cleaning; the tears were mended and the margins reconstructed with thin layers of tissue and paper of the appropriate color and thickness. Sub- sequently, it was flattened with light weights, after being slightly moistened. Thanks to this process, the print has now returned to its former glory. A Virtual Catalogue for Ancient Flemish Prints

The Belgian Academy and the Dutch Institute of The works described belong to the Library’s Fon- Rome are promoting an international project begun do Antico, the precious collection established dur- on September 1st, Early modern prints from the Low ing the pontificate of Pius VI Braschi (1775-1799), Countries in Italian collections: A virtual catalogue, and containing over 17,000 prints by artists from the with the objective of creating a virtual catalogue of 15th to the 18th centuries, bound in 161 volumes, Renaissance and Baroque prints from the Nether- thirty of which represent the “Flemish School”. lands kept in Italian collections. The catalogue aims The volumes in the inventory include engravings to provide a useful tool for researchers interested in from the designs of Maarten de Vos (1532-1603), the artistic exchange that began at the time of the Jan van der Straet (1523-1605), Hans Vredeman de Renaissance between Italy and the Netherlands. The Vries (1527-c. 1604), Paul Bril (1554-1626), Piet- project has already begun with the composition of er Stevens (c. 1567-1624?) and Pieter Paul Rubens an inventory formatted in Excel; at a later date, the (1577-1640). Other engravers and editors present in collected data will be arranged in an online database these volumes include: Hieronymus Cock, Crispijn to be improved as the project progresses, with the van de Passe, the Doetecum brothers and members contributions and participation of the various insti- of the Collaert, Sadeler, Galle and Wierix families. tutions involved. The project will take several years to be complet- The Apostolic Library was one of the first institu- ed, but this first phase has already produced good tions to join this initiative, along with the Angelica results along with small “discoveries” related to the Library and the Casanatense Library. In 2017, from composition of the collection itself. It is appropriate September to December, Belgian art historian So- to say, according to the wisdom of Horace, “he who phie Suykens compiled an inventory of 546 prints has begun has the work half done”. preserved in five volumes (Prints V. 107-111).

Aegidius Sadeler, after the invention of Paul Bril, “November and December,” 1615. Stampe V. 110 (61) “The Bible, Images and Writing in the Vatican Apostolic Library”

A book entitled Bibbia, immagini e Scrittura nella Bib- The possesses many editions of the Bi- lioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Bible, Images and Writing in ble, both in manuscript form and print copies. The most the Vatican Apostolic Library), edited by Ambrogio Piaz- ancient manuscript is the Papyrus Hanna 1, made in the zoni, Vice- of the Library, has just been published late 2nd/early 3rd century (180-220 C.E.), which consti- by the Jaca Book press. The book was written on the sub- tutes the oldest copy of the Gospels according to Luke and ject of the Bibles that are stored in the collections of the John. The most recent copy in our collection is a beautiful Vatican Apostolic Library. Bible produced by Donald Jackson and arranged in seven largely sized volumes, by which the English New Revised Standard translation has been transcribed and preserved in a splendid facsimile edition. The oldest print edition is the first edition of the Bible published by Johann Gutenberg in Magonza, just after the middle of the 15th century. The Library possesses two cop- ies of that Bible, one of which is made of parchment. The most recent edition (without considering digital copies) was made in 2017: it is an analogical version of the New Vulgate, the official Latin translation for liturgical use in the . The first part of the book focuses on the oldest copies of the text and the widespread circulation of the Bible in var- ious cultures; the second part recounts the often extroar- dinarily beautiful productions of the sacred texts made from Medieval times up to the Renaissance; the third and last part presents the forms and the particular uses of the biblical text from the versions made for readings in Chris- tian liturgy, and the small-sized books used for study and preaching.

The Vaticana at the Inauguration of the Museum of the Bible in Washington

On November 16th, the Museum of the Bible was in- augurated in Washington D.C., with 40,000 objects dis- played on eight floors, 430,000 squared meters – a muse- um of truly “biblical” proportions. The Prefect of the Apostolic Library, Msgr. Cesare Pasini, participated in the event, and diverse documents from the Vatican Library were loaned for a temporary exhibition. Within the museum, there is a section called “Vatican Treasures,” an exhibit showcasing pieces from the Vatican Library, which for one year will host some significant of its documents, namely the Barb. lat. 587, and the monumental volumes of the Urbino Bible, Urb. lat. 1-2. with written quotations from the Book of Genesis, The Apostolic Library is also featured in another ex- sculpted in bronze. The journey thus begins on a path hibition called “The Boundless Vanity of All: Ecclesiastes, to discover the biblical world in all of its possible man- Images and Ideas,” with six prints of Giovanni Battista Pi- ifestations; given the museum’s breadth, this path could ranesi on display. last for days and ends with a magnificent view from the To enter the museum, visitors cross the threshold of terrace, featuring a garden full of splendid plants that are the gigantic “Doors of Gutenberg”, which are decorated (serendipitously) biblical. Sixty Years After the Death of the “Great Old Man” Sixty years ago, (1866-1957) passed away. Mercati was a “doctor” of the Ambrosian Library, then “writer” and Prefect (1919-1936) of the Vatican Li- brary, and finally, Cardinal Librarian of the Holy Roman Church (1936-1957). He was affectionately called the “Great Old Man” in the Library. He is considered to be one of the great scholars of his time, a restless soul with a manner that was simple and vigorous, but warm at the same time, whose inner varie- gation found its synthesis through a good and generous heart. «Imposing in his black cassock, which was not worn any less for being under the bright splendor of Roman purple» (N. Vian, 1986), Card. Mercati was -and still re- mains- a model for librarians and much more. His meticulous studies on manuscripts, reworked time and time again, such that it was difficult for him to let go of them, as they never really seemed ready to go to press, won him the respect of his colleagues and pres- tige in the academic world. Though he was sometimes brusque, he was also particularly esteemed for the pro- found humanity that always characterized his manner over the many years he spent in the Library. He came to the Vatican Library during the prefecture yet, through constant study and scrupulous honesty, de- of (1895-1914), in the phase of moderniza- spite the usual weaknesses, little by little, without seeking tion of the Institution. It did not thrill him when, as Pre- it, I have been elevated to some of the most esteemed offic- fect of the Library, he himself had to implement profound es and dignities of the earth, and -what counts the most- changes in the institutional organization during the peri- I hope to reach the happiness of heaven, by the grace of od of collaboration with the American world, between God, who is infinitely merciful and generous with all his 1927 and 1947. However, he understood the usefulness of children, especially those of good will who serve and love these initiatives and was ever disposed to do his part for him. the common good, for the sake of research and scholars. Thus, in proportion to your own vocation and to your Gifted with the reflection of a scholar and the activi- response to this vocation, it will be up to each of you, dear ty of a leader, Mercati dedicated himself without reserve ones, if you will to act and do it seriously. Above all, may to the situation when the racial laws came into effect in you have the right intention in every one of your actions: 1938. He did all he could to help many Jewish scholars: never do things for base reasons, but work for the good, he welcomed some into the Library, and helped others to out of deference for God and for the love of God, sincerely, leave so as to find a new life overseas. generously, without ever be carried away by the easy temp- A man of few words, he was inclined to follow strict tations of laziness, forbidden pleasures, pride, envy, jeal- rules scrupulously, and with increasing firmness with ousy, or any other passion. In this way you will guarantee the passing of years. He had a delicate touch, especially your true temporal and eternal happiness. with children, as shown in a letter to a group of young In the second place, never waste time, which passes students who had sent him congratulation letters on the rapidly, never to return. It is bitterly regretted in vain as occasion of having been appointed cardinal (dated June soon as one understands its incomparable value. 7, 1936). The letter, published but not very well-known, In the third place, always do what you have to do im- is still valid today: mediately and in the best way possible: do not wait until “My little friends, indeed my dearest brothers in Jesus, the desire to do something come on its own, and do not your quite unexpected letters have pleased me greatly, pull it off quickly, lousily, thinking you can gain something because of the delicate innocence that is typical of your by dauntless speed and quantity, rather than by quality. age. Your good teacher suggested that you write me so Things done badly bear little fruit, or no fruit at all, and that, thinking about my situation would bring you to often have to be redone; whereas he who takes the habit make good resolutions. I also was a young schoolboy like of doing things well, will succeed even when there is less you, and a country schoolboy at that, from Gaida. Not time or when it is less convenient. Empty appearances can rich, nor extraordinarily gifted, like many of you, perhaps; deceive the less intelligent for a while, but they will soon be discovered for what they really are and they will fail. ns, perhaps, which paths are good ones, and which ones, If you work as I am telling you to do so, and for that difficult and dangerous. If you listen to them, you will matter, as it has always been taught by the wise, you will immediately get on the right path, on the safe and better make your fortune, by becoming, each in his own way, ex- path, without effort and without risk of irreparable and cellent, successful citizens, such as the kind that our heav- fatal errors. Otherwise, you’ll go off on an adventure and enly Homeland seeks and hires when he sees them: the lose a great deal of time, and also, very easily, you will loafers, the incompetent, the dealers are a disgrace to it. lose the right path, ending up in disaster and ruin (which Do not forget, however, that in the long and complex God does not want). Therefore, listen to those who truly work of your integral formation -religious, moral, civil- love you and who feel, before God and man, the tremen- your parents, your good teachers, your spiritual fathers dous responsibility of your complete formation and thus, and all your other superiors will be a great help to you if of your happiness in time and in eternity. you listen to them as you should, as they only seek your My dear ones, I will not see your success here on earth, own true good. You are quite new to life, actually, and you but I can guarantee that you will attain it if you mind the are about to go into a place that is like a dense, uncivilized advice of this old man, who does not know you by sight, forest, or an unknown territory. but who nonetheless loves you in God and invokes every Your elders have already passed through and con- blessing from God on you and on all your loved ones, as quered this territory and have learned, through their pai- well as on your good teachers and superiors.”

A cradle song by William Blake (1757-1827)

Sweet dreams form a shade, Sleep sleep happy child, O’er my lovely infants head. All creation slept and smil’d. Sweet dreams of pleasant streams, Sleep sleep, happy sleep. By happy silent moony beams While o’er thee thy mother weep

Sweet sleep with soft down. Sweet babe in thy face, Weave thy brows an infant crown. Holy image I can trace. Sweet sleep Angel mild, Sweet babe once like thee. Hover o’er my happy child. Thy maker lay and wept for me

Sweet smiles in the night, Wept for me for thee for all, Hover over my delight. When he was an infant small. Sweet smiles Mothers smiles, Thou his image ever see. All the livelong night beguiles. Heavenly face that smiles on thee,

Sweet moans, dovelike sighs, Smiles on thee on me on all, Chase not slumber from thy eyes, Who became an infant small, Sweet moans, sweeter smiles, Infant smiles are His own smiles, All the dovelike moans beguiles. Heaven & earth to peace beguiles. special thanks to Sr. Maria Panagía Mi- ola, of the Congregation of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, for the valuable help she is offering the Apostolic Library with the metadata insertion relative to our Greek manuscripts published online, and not only that. The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará constitute the female branch of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, founded in Argentina by Fr. Carlos Miguel Buela in 1984, which includes priests, reli- gious sisters, as well as religious brothers of apostolic and contemplative life. According to their Constitutions (5), the Insti- tute invests all its strength “to inculturate the Gos- pel, that is, to extend the Incarnation ‘to all men, in the whole man and in all the manifestations of man’ (John Paul II), in accordance with the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church.” Fr. Buela founded the female branch of the Con- gregation in 1988, likewise with the intention of fol- lowing Jesus through the profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. To all the Servidoras sisters, and in particular to the Superior General, Mother María Corredentora Rodríguez, we wish to express our gratitude for the possibility that has been offered to Sr. Maria Panagía to participate in some of the activities of the Library, with her grace and energy, in perfect adherence to the charism of her Congregation. View of the Jehol imperi- al Villa (1714). Copperplate engraving by Matteo Ripa (1682-1746), who brought the engraving technique of copperplate engraving to China for making pictures and maps. The volume, Barb. or. 147, which con- tains 36 Views of the Jehol imperial Villa, was recently restored by the staff of the Conservation Department, thanks to the donation of Mr. Edwind Mok from Hong Kong. The conserva- tion work that was carried out included suturing tears, filling in gaps, and applying pieces of tissue paper to re- inforce certain parts. The engravings have been digi- tized and are now available online (digi.vatlib.it). A manuscript digitized in November and published on: digi.vatlib.it Barb. lat. 4357, f. 3v-4r Thank you - Ars Graphica - Borri S.p.A. - Alan Baron - Dedanext S.r.l - Dedagroup S.p.A. - Åke Bonnier - Digita Vaticana Onlus - Laura Cretara - Gladis Krieble Delmas Foundation - Simona Giampaoli e familiari - Heydar Aliyev Foundation - Angelo Grilli - IAPS-Istituto di Astrofisica e - Frank Hanna Planetologia Spaziale, Roma - Warren Kirkendale - INAF-Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica - Edwin Mok - Von Mallinckrodt Foundation - Pierino Monassi - NTT Data - Chiara e Giovanna Montauti - Panduit Corporation - Mariastella Pellicioli Lorioli - Polonsky Foundation - Paolo Portoghesi - Samuel H. Kress Foundation - Francesco Parisi - Metis Systems - Marco Petreschi - Sanctuary of Culture Foundation - Bill Teuber - Seret S.p.A. - Patrizio Turi - Stiftelsen Konung Gustav VI Adolfs - Scott & Lannette Turicchi - Stiftelsen Marcus och Amalia Wallenbergs - Luciana e Francesco Varisco Minnesfond - Paola Veroi - Fritz Thyssen Stiftung - Bruna Volpi Fumagalli - Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg Wishing Well ...

The Gems of the Vatican Medal Collection

The Vatican Medal Collection is one of the treasures of the Apostolic Library. Like the Papal Library, and with its own distinction, it contains a set of composites, a collection of collections, whose purpose is to offer both the scholar and the inquisitive person what has been produced as a means of exchange and communication throughout the centuries, long before the birth of Christ. The coins represented originate from East to West: ranging from Punic, Chinese, Carthaginian, Roman, Italian and European coins, to modern conii. There is also a series of precious medal collections in splendid form, and in particular the papal one. It is not widely known that besides the collections of coins and medals, lead med- als, plaques, seals and engraved stones, the Vatican Medal Collection also includes col- Rp. Pichler. V. (int. 327) lections of casts that have been preserved. Particularly noteworthy is the group crafted by the Roman engraver of Austrian descent, Luigi Pichler (1773-1854), who worked on casts during the period from 1819 to 1820 for the Emperor of Austria, Francis I, who intended to offer it as a gift for Pope Pius VII. In 1795, as he began a trip to Vienna, Pichler was able to carry out a series of works for the nobility of the city. He returned to in 1808 and, with a letter of presentation written by the sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822), proceeded to Prince Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700-1760), who was already familiar with some works of the engraver and appreciated it. On his second trip to Austria, he was able to meet the emperor and was appointed member of the Fine Arts Academy of Vienna; the same hon- or would be granted to him a few years later by the Academy of San Luca (1812) and later by the Academies of Florence (1831), (1839) and Venice (1844). Rp. Pichler. V. (int. 327) The emperor had hoped that the artist would remain in Vienna, but Pichler de- restored cided to return to Rome. In 1818, when Prince Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859) asked him to move to Vienna on behalf of the emperor himself, Pichler could not refuse. In the Austrian capital, Pichler created reproductions of the cameos and gems of the Im- Artist: Luigi Pichler perial Museum using sulfur and glass, which turned out to have exactly the same appear- Number of items in the ance as the originals, even down to the color streaks. He himself brought the mahogany collection: 595 cabinet containing replicas of the 595 precious and famous works to Rome, and then re- Date of production: 1819-1820 turned to Vienna where he taught his own art to students eager to learn from the famous Material: sulfur and glass; metal master. Gregory XVI awarded him the title of Knight of St. Gregory the Great in 1839, and in 1842, that of the Order of Saint Nicholas. By his own request, he was then able to return to Rome, for he wanted “to close his eyes, where he had for the first time opened Items to be treated: 171 them to the light.” He arrived in 1850. State of conservation: Other casts of the Viennese collection had been made earlier, but with less pre- blue-greenish oxidation cious materials than those donated to Pius VII. This collection proves particularly val- damages uable in that it is unique: the molds were destroyed to prevent other copies from being Conservation treatments: made, and many of the originals that had been preserved in Vienna were destroyed dur- removal of the gems from the ing World War II. frames; degreasing with ultra- Over time, Pichler’s work, which was in part experimental, has been damaged by sounds or, vapour; electric and atmospheric agents and environmental conditions that have not been favorable to preser- iron oxid brushing; welding when vation, some irreparably so. Recently there was a restoration of some of his works whose necessary and rrepositioning of settings in gold metal showed a blue-greenish oxidation that put the reproductions at the gems in the frames; goldening risk. Thanks to the contribution of Alan Baron of Numismatica Genevensis, the Forlenza of the frames company of Rome has carried out projects of conservation for 64 settings chosen from Cost: 8,800 USD the ones in the worst conditions. Since the oxidizing process of the metal continues to develop, we hope that the other settings will also be able to be restored in the near future, at best, through new and spirited efforts. Wishing Well ...

Cataloging the “Vaticani latini”

The vaults of the Vatican Apostolic Library contain many collections or libraries, which arrived at the Vatican in the form of gifts or purchases, beginning from the 17th century onward. For instance, the Palatine Collection (1622-1623) arrived from Heidelberg; the Urbino Collection (1657), the library of Duke Federico di Montefeltro, arrived from Urbino; the Reginense Collection (1690) is the library that belonged to Christine, Queen of Sweden. Most of the “libraries” carry the names of the previous Vat. lat. 4204, f. 48v-49r owners, such as Chigiani, Barberini, Rossiani, Ottoboniani, Borghesiani, Boncom- pagni, Ferrajoli, and many others. The oldest and largest collection of manuscripts in the Vatican Apostolic Library is the Vaticani Collection, whose contents are identified according to the alphabets or languages in which the documents are written: Latin, Greek, Syriac, Armenian, Coptic, Arabic, Hebrew, Ethiopic, Indian, Persian, Slavic, Turkish, and others. There is also the Vaticani musicali, a collection of musical manuscripts. Printed inventories and catalogues of the collections have been published over the years, but many manuscripts are still without full descriptions. Cataloguing the man- uscripts is a rigorous task which requires a long period of time accomplish properly. Many codices contain several texts, sometimes in different languages or written over different periods of time. Small portions of them are normally selected and described in order to have up-to-date repertories available to the scholars. Within the collection of the Vaticani latini (made up of almost 16,000 manuscripts) are large portions of manuscripts that remain to be described. This unique work of description requires Vat. lat. 4258, f. 1r many specific types of expertise as well as abundant patience from the scriptores, the scholarly staff of the Library qualified to carry out such a demanding task. The scholarly staff of the Vatican Apostolic Library is made up of very few people who are Collection: Vat. lat. 4261-4330 involved in many activities. They publish catalogues from time, which normally take years Number of items: 69 to be completed. This work can become faster and easier if temporary collaborators help the scholarly staff in carrying out this task. Date: 5th-15th cent. A scriptor has undertaken the study and the cataloguing of a group of Vaticani latini from Vat. lat. 4261 to Vat. lat. 4330. Presently about 30% of this work is about to be finished; 30% is ready to be carried out, and the rest has yet to be undertaken. These manuscripts belong mostly to the Medieval and Humanistic periods (in addition to a few from the 16th century). From Work phases: the study that has already been accomplished, we have gained much new information. There - Checking the work already pre- has been the discovery of some ancient autographs and some unknown ancient text, such as a comment on the Song of Songs dating back to the beginning of the 11th century, and of some pared; unknown copies of manuscripts, in particular those from the Patristic era. The time has arrived - Complete extant records; to give a definitive form to the work so as to produce a printed edition of the catalogue. - Description of the remaining part The Vatican Apostolic Library would like a well prepared young scholar coming from the according to the leges. Vatican School to be involved in the project. The work consists in checking and completing the extant records, so that, under the guidance of the scriptor, the person may complete the rest of Staff involved: 1 young scholar the descriptions and add them to the manuscript database. The completed work will then be trained by scholarly staff of the published in the Series Maior of the printed catalogues of the Library. Moreover, the project Library could be particularly significant from another point of view in that it would provide a young Time needed: Three years researcher trained in the fields of codicology, philology and Latin paleography, the opportu- Total cost: 47,000 USD nity to learn from experienced staff, advance in his knowledge of research tasks, and make a descriptive synthesis of the manuscripts. We are now seeking grants for this initial project which we hope will be followed by others, as to make the manuscripts of the Vatican Apostolic Library more accessible for study and dissemination of knowledge. Wishing Well ...

The “Avvisi”, a unique group within the manuscript collections

The Vatican Apostolic Library possesses many “Avvisi” or “Communications” among its collections. These documents are brief news reports on what took place in a specific place, and are grouped together in the form of “menanti” (“leading news”) or “novellanti” (“news-tellers”) which served agents to prepare dispatches to the courts or to important persons interested in knowing what was happening in the major European cities. According to the Venetian ambassador Michele Soriano (16th cent.), the word “menanti” essentially referred to agents who collected the local gossip going around cities regarding the cur- rent political, economic, cultural and social life. Sometimes the agents worked together in a small “drafting room” and then sent their reports to personal clients. On the other hand, the “Avvisi” were printed and sold to several people. For this reason, the “Avvisi” are considered to be one of the first expressions of journalism, and the first attempts to create public opinion. This journalistic devise served powerful political leaders to control the spreading of gossip or bad news , as the “menanti” would try to gain the support of their often powerful customers. It seems that the Fugger family was the first to use the system of the “Avvisi” in Italy. They Urb. lat. 1048, f. 83r collected news about Venice from 1562 and 1572 and then communicated it to Augsburg. An affinity to a similar Medieval approach may be seen here. The use of this system spread from Venice to Rome, where it was employed by the agents of the dukes of Urbino to counteract the “menanti” news broadcasted to their customers. Thus were Collection: Urb. lat. 1038-1117, created the “Avvisi di Roma”, “Avvisi di Venezia” and so on. The network of information grew to a 1704, 1727 continental scale, thereby including the major European libraries (Hamburg, Amsterdam, Paris, Number of items: 82 Wien, Barcelona, Bruxelles, Antwerpen, Avignon, etc.). The “Avvisi” provide a faithful representa- manuscripts tion of daily life from the religious, political, diplomatic, economic, and artistic sectors of society Date: 16th-18th cent. in most important European cities between the 16th and 18th centuries. Unlike the diplomatic reports, like the famous ones from the Venetian ambassadors, the “Avvisi” present a daily and almost “popular” perspective on facts, as there is a great attention to the small and overlooked Work to be done: news and to details not considered by other observers. Conservation treatment and The biggest and best known collection of “Avvisi” in the Vatican Apostolic Library is that of the digitization on the manuscripts dukes of Urbino (Urb. lat. 1038-117, 1704, 1727). The collection arrived at the Vatican Apostolic (the number of folios of each man- Library with the Urbino Library in 1657. In addition, “Avvisi” are also found in other collections in uscript varies from 500 to 800) the Library, often coming from families such as the Barberini, Chigi, Ottoboni, i.e., codices Barb. lat. 3520-3525, 3538, 3573, 6341, 6343-6345, 6373-6374, 6376, 6380-6381, 6383-6386, 6388-6389, 6417, 7053, 9837-9838; Cappon. 29; Chig. O.III.35-O.III.37; Ott. lat. 2445, 2449-2450, 2458-2459, Work phases: 3337-3363. To date, there is not yet a comprehensive list. - Conservation treatment of the The “Avvisi”, especially the Roman ones, have been largely used over the years by many schol- manuscripts reinforcing the dam- ars. But, it is quite conceivable that most of the rich information of those documents is far from aged pages being adequately utilized. Cost: 175,000 USD The project “Avvisi” aims to procure that the “Avvisi”, documents that are in the Vatican man- - Digitization of the manuscripts uscript collections be digitized and posted on the web, starting with the Urbino collection. Because Cost: 625,000 USD these manuscripts often have serious conservation problems, mostly due to the metal gall ink used in the documents, the digitization has to be accompanied or preceded by a conservation program. The first step will include treatment of the the group of manuscripts, Urb. lat. 1038-1117, 1704, 1727. To learn more about special projects and opportunities to support the Library, please contact: Luigina Orlandi Office of Institutional Advancement ([email protected])