[Cardinal Antonelli, ‘The Italian Richelieu’, who played a leading role in the unification of Italy.] Secretarial Letter in Italian, Signed by him, to the Brazilian ambassador to the Holy See.

See his entry in Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of discoloration at edge, and traces of glue from mount on blank reverse. Two folds. Addressed to ‘Sigr. Ministro del Brasile presso la S. Sede’ and signed ‘G Card Antonelli’. The signature is in Antonelli’s autograph, the rest is written out by a secretary, and laid out in the customary fashion, with the block of seventeen lines of text on the right side of the page. In the usual circumfluous language, the document informs him that the Pope will see him that evening in the rooms of his residence. His machinations in Italian politics earned him the soubriquets the ‘Italian Richelieu’ and the ‘Red Pope’See Image.