MALTA ORDER. Lot of 4 18th-century manuscripts.
- Fee schedule for obtaining a license from the Order of Malta. Document in French.
18th century
Two-leaf folio in small quarto. 225x173 mm. Text on one page, 3 blank pages. Written in cursive script, in brown and sepia ink.
A series of prices for various services is listed. At the top of the document, Roman scudi are converted to Maltese currency: “cent quarante ecus romains qui font monnaie de malte … 313: 3”. The figures that follow therefore appear to refer to the currency in circulation in Malta during the 18th century.
- VALADY DE FREISSINET. Signed autograph letter addressed to ‘Monsieur le Chevalier de Freissinet’
June 27, 1786
Pre-philatelic. Two-page sheet measuring 210x168 mm. One page of text, two blank pages and a final page with the recipient’s address. Date at the top of the letter: ‘27 juin 1786’; signature at the end of the text. Text in French, clear cursive handwriting, brown ink.
It is addressed to his uncle, ‘mon cher oncle,’ and recounts an adventurous journey that ended happily “malgré les Mauvais tems que nous avons essayé.” The uncle, ‘Monsieur le Chevalier de Freissinet,’ is identified in the address as “ancien Lieutenant du regiment de Malte”.
- Handwritten list of Grand Masters of Malta.
Italy, 18th century
Bifolio. 278x194 mm. Text in Italian on 2 pages. 2 blank pages. Clear cursive handwriting in brown ink.
The careers of several Grand Masters are listed, along with their dates and biographical details. It begins with the sixty-first (LXI), ‘Gregorio Carafa d’Aragona,’ who died in 1690; it concludes with number 67 (LXVII), Manuel Pinto de Fonseca, ‘elected on January 18, 1741.’ Since the document ends with this date, it was drawn up before the Grand Master’s death, which occurred in Valletta on January 23, 1773.
- On the Election of the Prior of the Church.
Italy, 18th century
2 loose sheets in 8vo. 214x165 mm and 194x155 mm. Text in Italian on 2 pages, 2 blank pages.
The qualities required of the Chaplain to be elected ‘Prior’ are listed. He must be, among other things, ‘of good and approved character, practical and well-versed in divine matters, and learned.’ It is added at the end that no one may ascend to the dignity of Prior of the Church who is not ‘born and begotten of a legitimate marriage.’