Description:

Pope Urban VIII Papal Bull with Beautiful Lead Seal, Ca. 1623-1644

A papal bull from the papacy of Urban VIII. Written in Latin and untranslated. With flourishes at the upper and lower margins. A papal lead seal, or Bolla/bulla, has been attached at the lower margin with a thin rope strand. The lead seal measures 1.625" in diameter, with a cross and the heads of Saint Peter and Saint Paul depicted on one side, and the Pope’s name in Latin, "VRBANVS PAPA VIII", on the other side. 2pp of vellum (front and back), measuring 13.25" x 9", [Rome], n.d. [ca. 1623-1644]. The document has flattened folds with slightly stiff creases. Light toning, soiling, and foxing throughout, with further, uneven toning on verso. Small pin holes at the edges. Bold and clear text and signatures. Minor rubbing and wear to the seal. Overall very fine condition.

Pope Urban VIII was born Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini in Florence in 1568 and was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from August 6, 1623 until his death in July 1644. As pope, he expanded the papal territory by force of arms and advantageous politicking and was also a prominent patron of the arts and a reformer of Church missions. However, the costs incurred by the city of Rome to finance the Wars of Castro caused Urban VIII to become immensely unpopular with his subjects. Upon his death, the bust of Urban VIII at Capitoline Hill was soon destroyed by an enraged crowd, and only the quick thinking of a priest saved the sculpture of the late pope belonging to the Jesuits from a similar fate.

Papal bulls were originally issued by popes for various reasons of public communication, but after the fifteenth century C.E., they were only issued for the most formal or solemn of occasions. Papal lead seals, also known as bollas or bullas, were made and used by the Vatican State to verify the authenticity of the document. The seal was attached to an official vellum church document by cords made of hemp or silk that were looped through slits in the document.

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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February 1, 2023 11:00 AM EST
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University Archives

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