Lucrezia Signorello

«Pel vantaggio della Republica letteraria». The Bibliographical Correspondence between Girolamo Tiraboschi and Carlo Carlini

Introduction

«pel vantaggio della republica letteraria». The bibliographical correspondence between girolamo tiraboschi and carlo carlini. Explore the 1781-1788 bibliographical correspondence of librarians Tiraboschi & Carlini. Uncovers their scholarly network, book exchanges, and personal insights into the "Republica letteraria."

Abstract

The essay focuses on the correspondence exchanged, from 1781 to 1788, between Girolamo Tiraboschi, librarian of the Duke of Modena, and Carlo Carlini, the first custodian of the Royal Library of Brera. The 51 preserved missives constitute a piece, still virtually unpublished, of the dense information network that connected the farthest outposts of the Respublica litteraria to Tiraboschi’s desk. What emerges from the correspondence is a relationship that was far from being purely and strictly work-related, having quickly become friendly: in the letters, indeed, one finds both erudite information, book exchange agreements, requests for bibliographic checks, and numerous notes relating to the more private sphere. The epistolary thus provides a vivid insight into the professional and intellectual activities of the two correspondents, as well as a more three-dimensional reconstruction of their personalities.

Review

This essay, titled «Pel vantaggio della Republica letteraria». The Bibliographical Correspondence between Girolamo Tiraboschi and Carlo Carlini, presents a compelling and focused inquiry into 18th-century intellectual networks. By meticulously examining 51 preserved missives exchanged between Girolamo Tiraboschi, the esteemed librarian of the Duke of Modena, and Carlo Carlini, the inaugural custodian of the Royal Library of Brera, the paper promises to unlock a crucial and "virtually unpublished" segment of the *Respublica litteraria*. Covering the period from 1781 to 1788, the work endeavors to reconstruct a vital information conduit that extended to Tiraboschi’s influential desk, thereby illuminating the practical mechanisms of scholarly communication during the Enlightenment. The abstract suggests a sophisticated analysis that extends beyond mere archival presentation. It highlights that the correspondence swiftly transcended a purely professional exchange, evolving into a genuinely friendly relationship. This dual nature is central to the essay's appeal, as it promises to reveal not only the mechanics of erudite information—including book exchange agreements and requests for bibliographic checks—but also numerous notes relating to the correspondents' more private spheres. Such a comprehensive approach offers a "vivid insight into the professional and intellectual activities" of both Tiraboschi and Carlini, ultimately providing a "more three-dimensional reconstruction of their personalities" within their historical context. The study's strength lies in its dedicated focus on primary source material, unearthing a significant body of correspondence that has, until now, remained largely unexplored. Its potential to illuminate the practicalities of 18th-century scholarly communication, the pivotal roles of librarians as intellectual facilitators, and the intricate human connections underpinning the Republic of Letters is substantial. This essay, therefore, promises to be an indispensable resource for scholars interested in Italian intellectual history, the history of libraries, and the broader dynamics of scholarly networks during the Enlightenment, significantly enriching our understanding of a pivotal era through a deeply personal and professional lens.

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