[Collection of about 85 Grand Ducal proclamations and edicts]. Florence: Stamperia Granducale, 1767-68, folio, rustic cardboard binding containing about 85 announcements, notifications and edicts of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany concerning various subjects including tallow, livestock, oil, wheat, wine, road construction, numerous loose sheets - [Tillet, Mathieu]. Essay on the relationship of foreign weights with the French mark, Florence, Gaetano Cambiagi, 1769, 4to, in beards, modern paperback - Tariffs to easily reduce fir beams to tows, Florence, Moucke , 1787, 4to, tables, modern paperback; together with a collection of 32 plaquettes and edicts mostly Florentine from the 16th-18th centuries in 4th, most of them in modern paperbacks.
Very large collection of Tuscan tenders, mostly Florentine, but also Sienese and Pisan, including tenders and leaflets about 500 pieces, starting from two manuscripts of 1576 and 1590, Different formats, mostly in 4th and 2nd, some with simple paper and cardboard bindings, collected in 4 large canvas folders and 3 other containers.
From the Giannalisa Feltrinelli and Piero Gerini collections.
Only seven pages long is the first of the announcements, dated 1576, a slender manuscript concerning the Ordinations over livestock; dated 1590 is the second manuscript, of only 4 pages, a proclamation against Vagabonds, Birboni, Cantimbanchi, Cerretani and the like, who put the security of the city of Florence at risk by causing "many inconveniences and latrocious disorders". What is the function of the tenders? Etymologically, that of signaling or informing the public - by oral or printed announcement - of a particular notice, of an act having the force of law, of a judge's order, etc. With the introduction of the press and with the greater complexity that modern cities face starting from the 16th century, the production of Bandi intensifies exponentially, being in all respects the only concrete system of communication between the power and the masses. Here appear in every city printing presses dedicated to the printing of notices and leaflets, ephemeral materials that exhausted their function once the notice issued by the authority was communicated. Precisely for this reason, VERY RARE, perishable, transient material, destined to disappear due to its intrinsic vocation. This collection, a partial section of a collection that we know is larger, therefore takes the form of a precious reservoir of news and extremely useful information for reconstructing the life of the Florentine commune between the 17th and 19th centuries, a public life punctuated by laws, ordinances, notices, announcements, orders and whatever else was necessary to communicate to the people so that they could take note of certain public decisions. Just scroll through the first titles to understand the vastness of the topics covered, many of an economic nature but not only.Gratie..concernenti l'Arte della Lana, delle Tele e del Corame, Siena, 1651; Announcement and order to be observed above the drapery of satins, ermisini et al, Florence, 1604; Ban on not taking the Oath in criminal or mixed cases…Florence, 1679; Ban on foreign coins, Florence, 1575; Delle Giustine veneziane prohibition and taxation, Florence, 1618; Provisions and resolutions made…on behalf of Seta, Florence, about 1550; Laws and orders on the matter of false gold and silver, Florence, 1580; Announcement and prohibition of the Terzetti, and scarce gold coins, Florence, 1645; Declaration of the privilege granted to the Equestrians regarding the extension of the Pistols, Florence, 1678; Provision concerning who is expected to give Peace to Delinquents, Florence, 1627; Deliberation on what the Rectors & their Officers, Florence, 1550; Deliberatione sopra la cognitione de Contratti illicit, Florence, 1550; Announcement above the legates ad pias Causas, Florence, 1562; Ordinatione che li delinquenti per le transgressioni dell'Alpi, Florence, 1576.
The typographical form of the announcement will assume different typologies over the centuries, oscillating between short publication of a few papers, up to the notice or large leaflet, to be hung for the benefit of the public. The proclamation or public edict becomes the only and most effective system of communication between the ruler and his people, in a relationship that is constantly experienced IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE, where such notices are posted. Of this typical dimension of the Italian Municipality, where the agora is configured as the true vital center of the community, the announcement represents the most faithful testimony, feeble because it is short-lived, but important because it is direct and without mediation. A historical witness of absolute value.
