Italian cardinal; librarian of the Vatican Library; Secretary - Congregation of the Holy Office; President - Pontifical Biblical Commission.  Papabile: the last prelate to have his candidacy for papal election vetoed through jus exclusivae by a Catholic monarch.
 
LS - Letter Signed; measure 13"x8.75". Dated Rome 11 April 1888. Addressed to Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Francois Pitra OSB (1812-89), former archivist and librarian of the Church. Written one year before his death (Bishop of Frascati). Interesting content, in part reads: Any news on a matter that has been discussed for a long time and, currently, is being reviewed is always timely and can be useful in some circumstances. I declare myself obliged to Your Eminence for communicating to me the letter of Vice Admiral, Marquis Gicquel des Touches [Albert August Gicuel des Touches 1818-1901] regarding the affairs of Polomia. But my gratitude is even more profound and heartfelt for the demonstration of exquisite courtesy with which Your Eminence has shown me in giving me the volume of Analecta [Bollandiana, a journal of articles published in that year]. This publication, whose importance is evident from the very themes it treats, acquires greater value because it was released to the scientific world on an occasion that will remain famous in the history of the Church, namely the prestly Jubilee of our Holy Father [Leo XIII]. Usual folds, light toning; overall very good.