22-10-2025, 07:52 PM
Thanks ... had a great tine. It was a very engaged group. Clearly, they are enjoying themselves every week.
The 1510 cover is one of my favorites ... here's a quick overview;
It's official mail ... addressed from the governor of Narni to the governor of Todi. Both cities are in Umbria just under 50KM apart. At the time it was written both cities had been annexed by the Papal States. Narni, by the way, gave its name to Narnia the world created by C.S. Lewis (The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe). He stayed there one summer.
Anyway, in a very formal 16th C Italian, the cover reads, 'Al molto mag.coSr. Como frello / honor.de il Sr. Governatore di Todi / In Todi". That is, 'To the very important gentleman, with friendship, the honourable governor of Todi ... in Todi".
As official correspondence it would have been carried to Todi by a messenger. It has a couple of interesting features. First, there is a long paper seal ... that is still largely intact. A simple form of letterlocking was used. The wide end of the seal was glued to the back of the letter and the short, pointy end was inserted inside and attached to the letter.
The text of the letter deals with a 'criminal' matter. Narni is holding a man who allegedly has a family in both cities. In other words, the crime is bigamy.
Cheers, Hugh
The 1510 cover is one of my favorites ... here's a quick overview;
It's official mail ... addressed from the governor of Narni to the governor of Todi. Both cities are in Umbria just under 50KM apart. At the time it was written both cities had been annexed by the Papal States. Narni, by the way, gave its name to Narnia the world created by C.S. Lewis (The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe). He stayed there one summer.
Anyway, in a very formal 16th C Italian, the cover reads, 'Al molto mag.coSr. Como frello / honor.de il Sr. Governatore di Todi / In Todi". That is, 'To the very important gentleman, with friendship, the honourable governor of Todi ... in Todi".
As official correspondence it would have been carried to Todi by a messenger. It has a couple of interesting features. First, there is a long paper seal ... that is still largely intact. A simple form of letterlocking was used. The wide end of the seal was glued to the back of the letter and the short, pointy end was inserted inside and attached to the letter.
The text of the letter deals with a 'criminal' matter. Narni is holding a man who allegedly has a family in both cities. In other words, the crime is bigamy.
Cheers, Hugh
Hugh MacDonald, Wolfe Island
Member: BNAPS. PHSC, Auxiliary Markings Club, Postal Stationary Society, British Postmark Society,
AMG Collectors Club, China Stamp Society, France and Colonies Philatelic Society
ArGe Deutsche Feldpost: 1914-1918 e.V.