ROSSI (Giovanni Battista de Rossi, known as Jean-Baptiste de - Lot 250

ROSSI (Giovanni Battista de Rossi, known as Jean-Baptiste de Rossi) Rome, 1822 - 1894. Italian archaeologist and epigraphist, pioneer of Christian archaeology and contributor to the scholarly edition of Bartolomeo Borghesi's works. L.A.S. "J. B. de Rossi" to a French correspondent. Rome, May 24, 1862. 1 p. in-8 on printed letterhead of the Commission de publication des OEuvres de Bartolomeo Borghesi. Interesting working letter concerning the publication of Bartolomeo Borghesi's works. De Rossi announces the dispatch of "only part of the proofs", specifying that he still needs to add "a few notes" in Decade X, observation VIII before going to press. He also mentions the forthcoming dispatch of "a package of letters", testifying to the patient editorial work surrounding the publication of the famous Italian numismatist's manuscripts. The letter then takes on a more personal tone when he gives health news of his wife: "My wife has been quite ill in recent days, which has prevented me from working. She is better now." A beautiful letter combining philological erudition and intimate confidence, written on the elegant letterhead of the commission in charge of publishing Borghesi's works. Very legible manuscript, signed "J. B. de Rossi".