Giovanni Giuseppe Ramaggini (1715–1779) Five manuscript lett...

Giovanni Giuseppe Ramaggini (1715–1779) Five manuscript letters concerning Thomas Steavens, Charles Firmian and Ludovico Antonio Muratori, Vienna, 1749–1750 Five manuscript letters in Latin, brown ink on laid paper, each one bifolium, together ten pages written; dated Vienna, 27 April, 21 June and 19 July 1749, and 7 March and 20 May 1750. Four retain contemporary manuscript dockets to their final blanks. Original folds, occasional light spotting and minor marginal wear, with a small area of loss to one letter, otherwise generally in very good condition. The group comprises one letter to the celebrated historian Ludovico Antonio Muratori (1672–1750) introducing "Thomas Steavenius, an English gentleman", and four letters addressed directly to Steavens. Ramaggini praises Steavens's intelligence, cultivated judgement and elegant manners, observing that Charles Firmian "has surpassed everyone in his affection for Steavens". The letters record Steavens' role in the circulation of books and ideas between Britain, Vienna and Italy. Subjects include Muratori's Annali d'Italia, English books and learning, contemporary scholarship, philosophy, history, literary dedications and an English grammar adapted for Italian readers. Other passages refer to Steavens's travels in Venice and Turin, Ramaggini's prolonged illness and persistent gout, and his close friendship with Steavens. (5) Ramaggini (1715–1779) was an Italian cleric and scholar active in Vienna, and later secretary to Ferdinand Julius von Troyer, Bishop of Olmütz.

Estimate:£200

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