Sara Brasca

To the Origins of the Biblioteca Palatina: the Incunabula Collection of Carlo Ludovico of Borbone

Introduction

To the origins of the biblioteca palatina: the incunabula collection of carlo ludovico of borbone. Explore the origins of Parma's Biblioteca Palatina, its 'Fondo Palatino' and incunabula collection. Traces Carlo Ludovico of Bourbon's influence via rediscovered archival materials.

Abstract

This contribution aims to highlight several points of contact between the years Sabina Magrini spent at the Biblioteca Palatina in Parma (2012–2015) and the project ‘ORIGO: Alle origini delle Biblioteca Palatina di Parma: il mercato librario toscano e italiano nella prima metà del XIX secolo e la costituzione della Biblioteca Palatina di Lucca’. In particular, it displays the rediscovered archival materials of Pietro Pera, who served as a personal librarian to Carlo Ludovico of Bourbon in Lucca, in order to offer some reflections on the formation of what the "Fondo Palatino" of the Biblioteca Palatina in Parma is now. The paper concludes with a brief overview of the author’s doctoral project, dedicated to the ‘Palatini’ incunabula.

Review

The submitted manuscript, "To the Origins of the Biblioteca Palatina: the Incunabula Collection of Carlo Ludovico of Borbone," promises a valuable contribution to the history of libraries and book collecting, particularly focusing on the formation of significant historical collections in Italy. The paper's stated aim to explore the origins of the Biblioteca Palatina in Parma, through the lens of Carlo Ludovico of Borbone's incunabula collection, addresses a crucial aspect of institutional heritage and bibliophily. By connecting the work of Sabina Magrini with the broader 'ORIGO' project, the author signals a rigorous approach situated within ongoing, collaborative scholarly endeavors, suggesting a well-contextualized and relevant piece of research for scholars of library history, codicology, and book studies. A particular strength highlighted in the abstract is the intention to utilize "rediscovered archival materials of Pietro Pera," who served as personal librarian to Carlo Ludovico of Bourbon. This commitment to primary source research, especially previously unexamined documents, is highly commendable and suggests the potential for fresh insights into the intricate processes of collection building in the 19th century. The paper aims to offer reflections on the formation of the "Fondo Palatino," indicating an analytical approach that goes beyond mere description to interpret the historical and bibliographical significance of these holdings. The geographical scope, encompassing both Lucca and Parma, further enriches the narrative by tracing the trajectory and evolution of this important collection. The manuscript appears well-structured, moving from broader connections to specific archival discoveries and culminating in reflections on the collection's formation. The inclusion of a brief overview of the author’s doctoral project dedicated to the ‘Palatini’ incunabula, while concluding the paper, demonstrates a deep and sustained engagement with the subject matter. This not only reinforces the scholarly commitment but also suggests that the paper itself is part of a larger, robust research agenda. Overall, the proposed contribution offers significant promise in shedding new light on a specific yet highly representative episode in Italian library history, making it a compelling read for specialists interested in provenance, collection development, and the enduring legacy of princely patronage.

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