ROMANORUM PONTIFICUM, REGUM ATQUE ILLUSTRIUM VIRORUM TESTIMONIA DE BEATO NICOLAO ALBERGATO

Rome: Ex Typographia Francisci de Comitibus Ipressoris Cameralis, 1744. 281 x 200 mm. (11 1/8 x 7 7/8"). 2 p.l. (first blank), v-xviii pp., [1] leaf, xxxviii, 253, [1] pp.
Contemporary stiff vellum, smooth spine, reddish-brown label with gilt lettering. With woodcut coat of arms of Pope Benedict XIV on the title, woodcut initials and tailpieces. Title with ink stamp of the library of S. Pietro ad Vincula in Rome. ◆A hint of soil to the vellum, but a sound and pleasing binding, and A FINE COPY INTERNALLY, the paper bright and crisp, with trivial imperfections only.

Published at the behest of Pope Benedict XIV, this rare work honors the Blessed Niccolò Albergati with writings contributed by men of the church and prominent political and literary figures, including four popes and two kings. Born in Bologna, Albergati (1373 or 1375 - 1443) was a Carthusian monk who was promoted to Bishop (despite his reluctance to accept the position), served as nuncio to both England and France, and was elected cardinal in 1426. A papal favorite, he was close with Popes Martin V and Eugene IV, and he mentored the future Nicholas V and Pius II. Though he was never canonized, Albergati had long been venerated, and received official beatification from Pope Benedict XIV on 25 September 1744. Several accounts of Albergati's life have been written, but this work is unique in that it is directly connected to his beatification, and contains a wide range of contemporary sources in several languages, reflecting his widespread influence..