Document issued by Archduchess Isabella Clara Gonzaga of Austria, Duchess of Mantua and Monferrato, mother and guardian of Duke Ferdinando Carlo Gonzaga. Mantua, December 24 1665. Italian.
Manuscript on a large parchment leaf, restating privileges granted to Jews of Mantua and to bankers amongst them.
This document, reconfirming the privileges, was written following the death of Duke Carlo II by his son, Ferdinand Carlo, through his guardian (his mother) Duchess Isabella Clara, and it refers to previous authorizations given by Duke Carlo II on January 24 1651 and on May 14 1661 (the document mentioned, of January 24 1651, is the document sold by "Kedem" – auction no. 26, item no. 506). For further information, see: "Toldot HaYehudim BeDukasut Mantova", Shlomo Simonson. Tel Aviv University and Ben-Zvi Institute, Jerusalem, 1963. Vol. 1, pp 97-98; p. 174.
Parchment leaf 47X58 cm. Generally in good condition. Folded. Tears with omission to upper borders (no text omission) and to right borders (minor text omissions). On the lower part, left and right, two chopped fragments of 14X5 replaced by parchment fragments on which the text has been completed in pencil.