Umberto II of Savoy, The medals of the House of Savoy

U. di S. [Umberto II of Savoy], The Medals of the House of Savoy. General Catalogue Essay, Vol. I, P. & P. Santamaria Editori in Roma, Rome 1980, pp. 228, 93 plates, 33 cm, full cloth binding.

Work conceived in five volumes, of which only the first was printed.

Edition of 500 copies.

This volume represents the most complete expression of a passion for medals, both dynastic and personal, cultivated by the last King of Italy, Umberto II of Savoy, during his years of exile. The comprehensive editorial project aimed to provide a comprehensive catalogue of Savoy medals, organizing and making systematically accessible a vast historical and artistic heritage linked to the representation of power and the memory of the House of Savoy. The core collection, consisting of thousands of pieces dating from the 15th century to the medals dedicated to Umberto II himself, was bequeathed to the Medal Cabinet of the National Roman Museum, alongside the renowned numismatic collection donated by Victor Emmanuel III. If his father, a numismatist of exceptional stature, had initiated the Corpus Nummorum Italicorum, his son ideally continued his scientific impulse in a related field, gathering and studying the family's medal collection and thus offering an ideal, worthy completion of that undertaking, as a conscious memory of a past of extraordinary historical depth.

This copy is further embellished with autographed watermarked paper (22x14 cm) by Umberto II, with a woodcut Savoy coat of arms, bearing greetings and thanks from Cascais, May 1955.

In perfect condition. Very rare.