1590 Tuscan Knights Order of Saint Stephen MEDICI Created to Fight Ottoman Turks & Pirates EX RARE! Start Price USD 2,999.00 Current Price USD 2,999.00 Time Left 5 days 19 hours 18 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, November 13, 2008 End Time Monday, January 12, 2009 Location Lexington, Kentucky See more about '1590 Tuscan Knights Order of Saint Stephen MEDICI' Description 1590 Tuscan Knights Order of Saint Stephen MEDICI Created to Fight Ottoman Turks & Pirates EX RARE!   This is a wonderful and rare offering of the following work written in Italian. I can find one 17th century edition for sale online valued at $3000. This is 16th century and printed in 1590. The value is hard to imagine!   Main author: Sacro militare ordine di Santo Stefano papa e martire.   Title details: Statuti, capitoli, et constitutioni dell'Ordine de' Caualieri di Santo Stefano : fondato & dotato dall'illustr. & eccell. S. Cosimo Medici, Duca II. di Fiorenza, e di Siena, riformati dal Sereniss. Don Ferdinando Medici, terzo Gran duca di Toscana, & Gran Maestro di detto Ordine, et approuati, & pubblicati nel Capitolo generale di detto Ordine, l'anno MDXC. Con le facultà, indulti, & priuilegij concessi dalla Santità di Papa Pio IIII. & da N.S. Sisto Papa V. & dal suddetto fondatore. Con la tauola copiosissima delle materie, e capitoli..    Published: Fiorenza : nella stamperia di F. Giunti, 1590   Other names: Cosimo I, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, 1519-1574. Ferdinando I, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, 1549-1609. Giunta, Filippo, 1533-1600, [printer.]   Language: Italian   This is a wonderful volume with fantastic contents and would make a great addition to any collection. I have recently been so pleased by hearing how much my books have been delightful gifts for others. Therefore, I encourage you to think ahead…Anniversary, Birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any other special occasion! As a book lover there is not much I would rather receive as a gift. This is one of several such works I am listing, so be sure to check out my other listings.   I have included a biography at the end of the listing for those interested.     Wear:  free from wear; BEAUTIFUL antique handcrafted leather by professional antique binder; see photos Binding: tight and secure leather binding Pages: lacks the first formal title page, but is otherwise complete with all  182 pages; includes indexes, prefaces, and such; generally free from markings or foxing Publisher: Fiorenza : nella stamperia di F. Giunti, 1590 (see colophon) Unique features:  rare and excellent contents; ~8.5in X 6.5in   Please understand that I am not an expert, but only a lover of old books. I have done my best to describe these books based on my current knowledge, but nobody is perfect. I welcome any questions you may have about contents or condition. I know that the pictures do not usually do justice to the books.   I am not using a reserve price and hope that whoever wins considers this a treasure. Thanks again and happy bidding!   PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER AUCTIONS & EBAY STORE AS I DO COMBINE SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE PURCHASES. IF 3 ITEMS ARE WON IN A 10 DAY SPAN THE ENTIRE ORDER WILL SHIP FOR FREE (USA Bidders only). International bidders will still receive combined and reduced shipping as a thank you for your kind business.   Shipping Note: I always ship very securely in a secure box, well packaged and wrapped, and very quickly (95% of the time within one business day unless we are out for the day).   Returns: I very much want the winner to be satisfied and understand that while doing my best to list accurately, nobody is perfect. I will give returns as a full money-back return less the shipping cost and fees from eBay and Paypal if notified promptly and receive items back in exact same condition within 14 days of auction close.   Payments: If after 1 week of auction close I still have not received payment and have not been notified by email of arrangements, I reserve the right to offer item to second bidder     The Order of Saint Stephen (Official: Sacro Militare Ordine di Santo Stefano Papa e Martire, "Holy Military Order of St. Stephen Pope and Martyr") is a Tuscan dynastic-military order founded in 1561.   Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Currently 3 External links 4 References       [edit] History The order was founded by Cosimo I de' Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany, with the approbation of Pope Pius IV in 1561. The rule chosen was that of the Benedictine Order. First Grand Master was Cosimo himself, followed by his successors as Grand Duke. The dedication to St. Stephen derives from the day of Cosimo's victorious Battle of Montemurlo (August 1, 1537).   The objective of the order was to fight on the sea the Ottoman Turks and the pirates that rode Mediterranean Sea in the 16th century, making, in particular, dangerous inroad on the coasts of the Tyrrhenian Sea, where Cosimo had recently inaugurated the new port of Livorno. He also needed a symbol of union between the nobility of his newly unified reign (Florentine and Sienese) against a common enemy, as well as of his support to the Catholic Church. Finally, the creation of a Tuscan military order would also strengthen the prestige, both internal and international, of Cosimo's new state.   To join the Order a postulant had to be at least eighteen years of age, able to meet the financial obligations of membership, make the necessary noble proofs and not to be descended from heretics.   The first seat of the order was Elba Island, followed in a definitive way by Pisa. The Knights' Square in the city, on which their palace faces, is named after the Order. The Coat of Arms include a red cross with eight points, flanked by golden lilies.   In his early years, the Order took part successfully to the Spanish wars against the Ottomans, being present at the siege of Malta (1565), the Battle of Lepanto (1571) and the capture of Annaba in Algeria. After its aggressive capabilities had been recognized, the Order concentrated on the defence of the Mediterranean coasts against Turk and African pirates. In particular, the Knights made some incursions in the Aegean Islands controlled by the Turks, and took part to the campaigns in Dalmatia, Negroponte and Corfu.   After 1640, military involvement was reduced. The Order concentrated on the coastal defence and in ordnance duties, but did not miss to send some help to the Republic of Venice, then engaged in a desperate war against the Ottoman Empire. The last military action dates from 1719. Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Tuscany promoted a reorganization of the order, turning it into an institute for education of the Tuscan nobility.   On 7 March 1791, six month after becoming Emperor, Leopold abdicated the Grand Duchy to his younger son, Ferdinand III, the founder of the present Grand Ducal House. Although Ferdinand was the first European Sovereign to recognize the French Republic, he was forced to submit to the French authorities who occupied the Grand Duchy in 1799. He abdicated both Grand Duchy and the Grand Magistery of Saint Stephen. The order survived during the shortlived Kingdom of Etruria.   Following the restoration of Ferdinand III in 1814, the revival of the Order was proposed. By a decree dated 1815 the Ripristinazione dell'Ordine dei Cavalieri di S. Stefano was proclaimed. The Order was again dissolved in 1859, when Tuscany was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. However, the religious order remained in existence.     Your browser does not support JavaScript. To view this page, enable JavaScript if it is disabled or upgrade your browser. Click Here. Double your traffic. Get Vendio Gallery - Now FREE! Your browser does not support JavaScript. To view this page, enable JavaScript if it is disabled or upgrade your browser. On Nov-12-08 at 23:39:55 PST, seller added the following information: Sellers: Get your own map today. Click here now. Simple." Place a Bid!