Lot 549
REPUBLIC OF VENICE: 1848-49 an...
Stamps and Postal History of the World | 5916
Auction: 3 March 2020 at 00:00 GMT
Description
REPUBLIC OF VENICE: 1848-49 an exceptional complete collection of the nine printed propaganda leaflets thrown from hot air balloons during the anti-Austrian insurrection. They were the first airmail messages, twenty years before the French 'Ballon Monté'!
The collection is composed of in detailed order of the leaflets:
1) "POPOLI DEL CONTADO!" (People of Contado):
During the early days of the insurrection "God and Motherland is the battle cry". It was the early days of the insurrection, the Austrian military forces besiege Venice. Only little news and goods arrive in the city carried by smugglers. To communicate outside the city the rebels used hot air balloons that, when the wind is favourable, convey above the enemy military forces, the messages and roll-call of the Venetians.
2) "AI POPOLI/ DELLE PROVINCIE VENETE" (To the people/of the Venetian Provinces) around 20th and 25th September 1848:
"Deny Austria the taxes it asks you to kill Italy". During 20th and 25th September, some leaflets are thrown to embolden the Venetian Provinces citizens not to pay taxes to Austria because that money would be used for the war that saw Venice and Italy opposed to Austria.
3) "ISTRIANI" (Istrians) dated 10th October 1848:
"The Austrian does not dare to approach our ships". The 10th of October this leaflet is thrown to insure the Istrians headed for Venice from the sea to travel without fear because the presence of a steamboat is enough to make the enemies flee.
4) "TRIESTINI" (Triesteans) around 12th and 13th October 1848:
"Trieste finally remembered to be an Italian city". Between 12th and 13th of October leave these leaflets praising the city of Trieste which is said to have risen against Austria. "Long live Italy, long live Venice, long live Trieste"
5) "ISTRUZIONI AI LOMBARDO-VENETI" (Instructions for Lombardo-Venetians).
The 15th of October these leaflets were directed to the inhabitants of Lombardy-Venetia to incite them not to give respite to the enemy, taking them by surprise, killing them mercilessly especially the officers. "The young patriots would flee to the mountains and would form gangs of rebels."
6) "CITTADINI D'ITALIA" (Citizens of Italy) dated 27th October 1848:
"Venice finally tells you: Let's do it ourselves". In these leaflets of 27th of October Italians are urged to take up arms and kill the Austrians, even by treachery. "They are rabid dogs, they must be destroyed".
7) "AI POPOLI DELLA LOMBARDIA E DELLA VENEZIA" (To the people of Lombardy and Venice) dated 15th March:
"Already fires the cannon on Ticino River". Because of the bad weather and opposite wind none of the leaflets could have been sent "We were silent for five months, from October 27th we were silent". In these leaflets people are urged "The hour of revenge has struck...courage, all to arms! There is no power to resist against the will of the people willing and in agreement: now or never, or slaves forever or forever free!"
8) "CHIAMATA AI CROATI CHE SONO IN ITALIA" (Calling the Croats that are in Italy) around 14th and 15th March 1849:
It was already the middle of March 1849; the military situation is starting to get difficult. In these leaflets they try to convince the Croatian soldiers of the Austrian army to desert. "Why do you stay in Italy? Flee, flee! All of you will be killed! Yes, like sheep you are led to the slaughter. But we are a generous enemy. Even though you offended us, we forgive you, because you were forced by your tyrants. Come to the lagoon! We will welcome you to Venice. We will give you food, clothes and assistance. Our fleet will lead you to Fiume. Fiume is opposite Venice. In two days you will be led to your brothers".
9) "HORVATJIM, KI SO NA LASKIM" (Calling the Croats that are in Italy) around 14th and 15th March 1849:
Similar leaflet as number 8 but printed in the Croat language to facilitate the understanding of the Croatian soldiers for whom it was intended.
Also included in the lot is an original map of Venice in the 19th century.
A fantastic and unique opportunity to acquire the only known complete set of these most elusive and extremely rare documents.
The last time one of the leaflets appeared on the market was in a 1998 Bolaffi auction fetching around €20,000.
0