Ferdinandus Minucci; Cosmas Tituli - Lot de 4 documents ecclésiastiques italiens du XIXe siècle – 1848-1862 – Reliques sacrées – Sceaux - 1842

Lot of 4 nineteenth‑century Italian ecclesiastical documents – 1848-1862 – Sacred Relics – Seals and Signatures

Italy – 19th century – Historical and religious documents – Latin and Italian

Rare set of four nineteenth‑century Italian ecclesiastical documents, comprising three authentication certificates of sacred relics and a admission card to a religious confraternity.

These documents feature remarkable ecclesiastical coats of arms, numerous handwritten inscriptions in ink, ancient signatures, as well as several official stamps and seals.

The set has been kept in an old Italian religious collection and constitutes an interesting testimony of 19th‑century ecclesiastical practices.

Description of the four documents

1. Certificate of Cardinal Cosmas – Pisa – 11 April 1862

Official document written in Latin, issued under the authority of Cardinal Cosmas, Archbishop of Pisa, bearing the cardinal title of Saints John and Paul.

- Date: 11 April 1862.
- Printed cardinal coats of arms.
- Handwritten inscriptions in old ink.
- Ecclesiastical signature.
- Embossed circular seal.
- Text relating to the authentication and veneration of holy relics.

2. Certificate of Ferdinand Minucci – Florence – 8 December 1848

Document issued under the authority of Ferdinand Minucci, Archbishop of Florence, during the pontificate of Pius IX.

The text mentions numerous relics attributed to various figures of Christian tradition.

Among the deciphered references are relics presented as coming from the table of the Last Supper, a garment of the Virgin Mary, the staff of Saint Joseph, and several saints.

- Date: 8 December 1848.
- Archbishop’s coats of arms.
- Numerous handwritten Latin mentions.
- Ancient signatures.
- Printed ecclesiastical form.

3. Certificate of Ferdinand Minucci – Florence – 19 October 1848 (probable reading)

Second certificate issued under the authority of the Archbishop of Florence, presenting a remarkable ancient armorial seal.

The document contains a long handwritten enumeration of relics, including references to the Holy Cross and several saints.

- Handwritten date: 19 October, year probably 1848.
- Printed archiepiscopal coats of arms.
- Numerous handwritten inscriptions.
- Ecclesiastical signatures.
- Large ancient gold seal bearing three stars in the heraldry.
- Signs of creases and natural patina of time.

The seal is one of the most remarkable elements of this set.

4. Document of the Venerable Confraternity of Death – Sansepolcro

Italian document entitled:
Venerabile Confraternita della Morte – Eretta nella Chiesa della SS. Vergine delle Grazie di Città San Sepolcro.

This is an admission card to a religious confraternity dedicated notably to accompanying the deceased and to charitable works.

- Old typographic printing.
- Emblem depicting a skull.
- Text printed in Italian.
- Handwritten inscriptions and signatures.
- Official circular seal.
- Old seal in the lower part.

Condition

Documents present a handsome historical aspect, with a patina consistent with their age.

Presence of preservation creases, light stains, small signs of wear, and natural variations in paper coloration.

Printed texts, handwritten inscriptions, coats of arms, and signatures remain visible.

The large armorial seal shows signs of historical wear.

The lot is offered in its current state of preservation, in accordance with the photographs.

Historical and collecting interest

This set testifies to relic authentication practices in the Italian Catholic Church in the 19th century.

The names of ecclesiastical dignitaries, references to relics, seals, and handwritten inscriptions constitute particularly interesting elements for the study of religious history.

Lot intended especially for collectors of:
- Old documents and manuscripts.
- Italian ecclesiastical archives.
- Religious history and Catholicism.
- Seals, coats of arms, and ancient signatures.
- Documents relating to holy relics.

Sale of all four documents shown in the photographs, not including the relics themselves nor the old collection in which they were kept.

Careful shipment with protection suitable for old papers and fragile seals.