Rare Autographs, Manuscripts and Aviation Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2016
Rare Letter from the great Italian Naval leader Andrea Doria, dated October 9, 1545.Doria was the imperial admiral he commanded several expeditions against the Ottoman Empire, capturing Koronji and Patras, and co-operating with the emperor himself in the capture of Tuniss (1535). Charles found him an invaluable ally in the wars with Francis I, and through him extended his domination over the whole of Italy.
He accompanied Charles V on the ill-fated Algiers expedition of 15411, of which he disapproved, and which ended in disaster. For the next five years he continued to serve the emperor in various wars, in which he was generally successful and always active, although now over seventy years old.
This letter is addressed to Prince Frdinande Gonzaga (1497-1557) an endorsement of an reccomadation of Andronicio di Spinosa from someone who "did not want to miss the opportunity" to implore the Prince to find a position of command for Spinosa(Spinola) In the kingdom of Sicily. The second part of the letter could not be deciphered but is written by Doria addressed to the Prince...The document is signed by Doria as well at the end.
According to the history there was along collaboration between the Gonzaga family and Andrea Dorea. In an earlier known letter from Francesco Gonzaga from Rome on May 29th 1526, to his father Federico Duke of Mantua and Marquis of Montscrratte) Franseco mentioned how he "performed the duty of a visit" to Pope Clemens Vll " with M Andrea Doria"..In the letter Gonaga told how important Doria was to the pope who wanted a painting done of him(Doria) by Sebastiani.
The letter appears to offer a glimpse of the diplomatic interplay of the time including the conduct of business and the subtleties of power. The uneven italic writing is attributed to Dorea which may be due to his condition of the nearly 80 year old ruler
Extremely Rare Andrea Doria 1545 Letter!
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