Letter From Gianfrancesco Albani, The Future Pope Clement XI – 1680, Vatican, Collevecchio, Autograph

A very rare autograph letter signed by Gianfrancesco Albani (1649–1721), the future Pope Clement XI, written twenty years before his election to the Throne of St. Peter.

This remarkable letter is entirely written in Albani's own hand and signed "GF Albani V. Gle" (Gianfrancesco Albani, Vicar General). It is dated Collevecchio, January 16, 1680, and is addressed to the Governor of Cagli ("Al Molto Illustre et Reverendissimo Signor come Fratello. Il Governatore di Cagli"). The reverse bears Albani's embossed personal seal inscribed:

"Ioan. Franciscus. Albanus. Vic. Gen."

The document is written on laid paper bearing a watermark depicting a sun surmounted by a Christian cross, characteristic of late seventeenth-century Italian papermaking.

Dimensions: 20 × 26.8 cm (7.87 × 10.55 in).

This letter is previously unpublished and entirely inédit. It comes from an old French private collection and has been fully transcribed.

At the time this letter was written, Gianfrancesco Albani had recently been appointed by Pope Innocent XI as Vicar General and Governor of the Province of Sabina, following the completion of his legal studies. He resided at Collevecchio, the administrative seat of the province within the Papal States. Twenty years later, in 1700, he would be elected pope under the name Clement XI, whose pontificate (1700–1721) would leave a lasting mark on the history of the Catholic Church.

The letter constitutes an official act issued on behalf of the Sacred Congregation of the Buon Governo (Sacra Congregazione del Buon Governo), one of the principal administrative bodies of the Papal States. Albani communicates the Congregation's decision that the election of the notary Jacobuzzi to the office of Camerlengo (Chamberlain) of the community is to be declared invalid, as the appointment had not been conducted in accordance with canonical procedure. He therefore orders that another candidate be proposed and duly elected in compliance with papal regulations.

Entirely autograph, preserved with its original embossed seal, and remarkable for both its administrative content and excellent state of preservation, this letter represents an exceptional testimony to the early career of the future Pope Clement XI and offers valuable insight into the administration of the Papal States during the late seventeenth century.

An outstanding historical document for collectors of autograph manuscripts, papal history, and documents relating to the Papal States.

Molto Illustre et Reverendissimo Signor come Fratello.

Mi si commanda dalla sacra Congregazione del Buon Governo, che mentre la proposta fatta del Notario Jacobuzzi per Camerliere di cotesta communità sia seguita nel publico consiglio, e non sia stato condotto canonicamente, Io debba fare, che sia proposto, ed eletto un altro nel luogo di quello.

Così dunque Vostra Signoria si contenterà di eseguire, e Dio La prosperi.

Di Vostra Signoria

Collevecchio, li 16 gennaio 1680.

GF Albani V. Gle

To the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord, as to a Brother, Governor of Cagli.

I have been instructed by the Sacred Congregation of the Buon Governo that, since the nomination of the notary Jacobuzzi to the office of Camerlengo of your community was presented before the public council without having been carried out according to the prescribed canonical procedure, I am to ensure that another candidate is proposed and elected in his place.

Your Lordship is therefore requested to carry out this decision, and may God grant you His protection.

Your devoted servant,

Gianfrancesco Albani, Vicar General

Collevecchio, January 16, 1680.

Price excluding shipping costs

Police Register Reference: A161

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