A fine manuscript of an authoritative biography of Pier Luigi Farnese (1503-1547), first Duke of Castro from 1537 to 1545 and the first Duke of Parma and Piacenza from 1545 to 1547. The work was published, in a somewhat altered form, in 1821 (see Pezzana). The published edition has a few more references and some more text based on sources published or consulted after 1778. This, however, is most probably the original manuscript mentioned by Pezzana (see below). The author, Ireneo Affò (born Davide, 1741-1797) "known in Italy as Irenaeus, was an Italian art historian, writer, and numismatist belonging to the Order of Friars Minor Observant, or Franciscan friar. Affò was born in Busseto in the province of Parma, in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Observing his early inclination for drawing and poetry, Affò's father encouraged him to study in the workshop of the painter and sculptor, Pietro Balestra. After a short time, Affò began pursuing studies in fine arts, demonstrating abilities in the writing. In his youth, Affò entered the Franciscan order. He continued to pursue his writing, which included poetry. He began to cultivate the study of learning, conducting extensive historical research of Italy and the surrounding area. Ferdinand, Duke of Parma sent Affò to serve as a professor of philosophy at Guastalla in 1768 where he oversaw the publication of two ancient codices, including Angelo P oliziano's Orpheus, and the newly discovered archive of the Holy Spirit in Reggio Emilia. He then edited the critical edition of poetic works of St. Francis of Assisi. His major work in the literary field is still represented by the first five volumes of Memoirs of writers and scholars of Parma (1789-1797). While at Guastalla, Affò wrote his History of the city and duchy of Guastalla. He wrote also, History of Parma, until 1346, as well as other works connected with the ancient history of Italy. Affò's writing became highly respected throughout Italy. The subject of this manuscript, Pier Luigi Farnese, "...was the illegitimate son of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (who later became Pope Paul III). He became a soldier and participated in the sack of Rome in 1527. ... [He] quickly became the stereotype of a mercenary soldier: wild and amoral. He had courage and daring and while strong and audacious was also sufficiently brutal to offend many observers. Nor did he always fight on the traditional side of the papacy; reversing the pro-Guelph sentiments of the Farnese" (Wikipedia). With an armorial bookplate "Vigilentia et Prudenta" (quite appropriate), of Arthur Brölemann (1826-1904), "president of the Tribunal de Commerce of the French city of Lyon and an ardent bibliophile. Arthur had acquired over 4,000 volumes by descent from his grandfather, Henri-Auguste Brölemann (1775-1854), who had formed his own collection between 1824 and his death in 1854" (Herman). Very slight wear to the boards, very light spotting to the first few leaves, a vague dampstain to the final blanks. read more