HOLOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED by ODOARDO FARNESE, DUKE OF PARMA, addressed to FRANCESCO CAPIZUCCHI at Christmas-time. Together with 2 ENGRAVED PORTRAITS. by Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza (1612-1646) - 1644.

Piacenza: December 1644., 1644.. Very good. - Over 60 words penned in an unidentified hand on 10-7/8 inch high by 8-5/8 inch wide creamy white watermarked paper with an attached integral address leaf. He sends Christmas greetings ("Santo Natale") to Marquess Francesco Capizucchi (1605-1678), the brother of Cardinal Raimondo Capizucchi. The letter is boldly signed by Odoardo Farnese with his abbreviated smudged signature. The letter has dispatch slits meant to accommodate ribbons and is folded. The Duke's armorial paper seal is attached with red wax on the address leaf. The text printed along the edges of the seal reads: "ODOARD. FAR. PAR. ET. PLA. DVX. V." There is some minor soiling with tiny holes at the folds. Very good.

Together with a copper plate engraved portrait titled "Odoarde Farnese par la grace de Dieu Duc de Parme, pleisance castr. Seigneur Sabion Roncil, etc." The 6-1/4 inch high by 4-5/8 inch wide copper plate portrait, as measured from the plate marks, is engraved on 9-1/4 inch high by 6-1/2 inch wide creamy white paper. Titled under the oval image, a "fleur-de-lys" decorated shield topped by a crown is depicted at top left and the number "119" is engraved within laurel branches at top right. Although the artist is unidentified, the engraving is attributed to French painter & engraver Balthasar Moncornet by Emile Socard in his "Catalogue de la Bibliotheque de la ville de Troyes". Near fine but with minor flaws.

The French painter, engraver and "tapissier" Balthasar Moncornet (1600-1668) was known for his portraits of approximately 45 eminent figures of the 17th century.

Also with a copper plate engraved portrait by Michel van Lochon (1601-1647) titled "Odoardvs Farnesivs dux Parmae Placent. Castr. Dominvs. Sabion. Roncil. et." The print is identified as executed by "Michel van Lochon execudit Avec Privilegie du Roy" under the title. The oval portrait set within a decorative border is engraved by copper plate on a sheet of 12-3/4 inch high by 9-1/4 inch wide creamy white paper. The edges are creased with a couple of tiny cips to the bottom and left edges and two pinholes or stab marks along the plate mark at left none of which affects the image. Very good.

Born in Antwerp on April 28, 1601, Michel van Lochon (1601-1647) became an apprentice in The Guild of St. Luke's Antwerp in 1613 and a master between September 1621 and September 1622. He moved to Paris 1624-1625 and died there in 1647. The title "graveur et imprimeur du Roy pour les tailles-douces" was added to his prints around 1644.

Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma (1612-1646) was also Duke of Piacenza and Castro. To counter the Spanish presence in northern Italy, he forged an alliance with France in 1633 to support his territorial ambitions. With loans from France, he undertook campaigns which were initially ineffective. His army was defeated by Francesco I d'Este and Piacenza was occupied by Spanish forces. Failing to convince France to physically intervene, Odoardo signed a Peace Treaty with Spain in 1637 at the urging of Pope Urban VIII. His refusal to give up the Farnese fiefdom of Castro to the Barberini, members of Pope Urban's family, led to his excommunication. Though he formed alliances with Venice, Florence and Modena, Odoardo was unable to recover Castro by siege. Despite this defeat, the city of Castro was returned to him in the Peace Treaty of 1644, and Odoardo was reconciled with the Catholic Church.