Marcantonio Colonna, Battle of Lepanto Hero, Rare ALS With Military Content

A 1p autograph letter in Italian boldly signed by Marcantonio Colonna (1535-1584), Duke of Tagliacozzo and Paliano, as "Marcantonio Colonna" at center. October 22, 1582. Rome, present day Italy. On watermarked bifold paper, with an elaborate blind-embossed seal still adhered with red wax to the last page. The inner pages are blank and there is an integral address leaf. Expected wear including flattened folds, toning, and isolated holes, the largest which corresponds to the first page in the area around the seal. Else very good to near fine. 8.375" x 11.625." The document remains untranslated but has been summarized, and is accompanied by a former catalog description.

Marcantonio Colonna autographed material is scarce, and this letter features Colonna's full signature. In this missive, Colonna mentions a company captain named Ottavio Iperanza, "four or five days," and future movements around "Civita Vecchia" [Civitavecchia, located some 100 km northwest of Rome.] October 1582 marked the 11th anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto (October 7, 1571) in which naval officer Marcantonio Colonna had played a significant role.

The Battle of Lepanto took place in the Gulf of Patras and involved an estimated 400 warships; it was the largest naval battle since Classical Antiquity. Combatants were the Holy League, comprised of the Spanish Empire and its Italian city-state allies; and the Ottoman Turks, who had been venturing further westward into Mediterranean waters. At the battle, Marcantonio Colonna was commanding a papal flagship when he saw an allied flagship being overrun with Turks. Colonna directed a triumphant counter-attack which decimated the Turkish raiders and provided a tremendous boost to Holy League morale. In acknowledgement of his heroism, Colonna was appointed Captain General of the Roman Catholic Church. In the decade following the Battle of Lepanto, Colonna received more political recognition; he served as the Viceroy of Sicily from 1577 until his death in 1584.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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