Passport, issued to Cosymo Strozsy Italian signed by John Mershe, and Thomas Aldersly [manuscript].

England, 1571.

1 sheet ; 32 x 21 cm

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Great Britain -- England.

FAST ACC 271274 (flat)

From dealer's description: [MARSHE, John & ALDERSEY, Thomas.] [Passport signed, for bearer “Cosymo Strozsy Italian” to permit him “quietly to pass from yo[ur] port without any yo[ur] lett or impedyment ...”] “Dated at London this xxviii th day of December Anno 1571.” Manuscript passport signed, ink on paper, in English. Oblong folio (21 x 32cm) [1] page on recto of first leaf of bifolium, signed “John Mershe” & “Thomas Aldersly,” verso of second leaf with manuscript docket title, old folds, uncut edges, fine condition. This fine example of a passport from the Elizabethan era, dated at London 27 December 1571, bears the signatures of the prominent London merchants John Marshe (c.1516-1579) and Thomas Aldersey (1521-1598). It was issued to the Italian banker Cosimo Strozzi, a member of a branch of the Florentine banking family of Strozzi that settled in France following their rivalry with the Medici in the fifteenth century. Most probably he was involved in the banking business of Bandini & Strozzi at Lyon and is recorded in the 1580s as a follower of Henri Duc de Joyeuse (1563-1608). The provenance of the Corsini archive suggest that Strozzi had some banking business with the London-based Florentine merchants Bartolomeo Corsini (1545-1613) and Filippo Corsini (1538-1601). Both Marsh and Aldersey whose signatures are present here were fervent Protestants and leading members of the Merchant Adventurers, involved in the export of cloth to the Low Countries and the Baltic. The text notes that they were “appoynted and authorized by Commission from the Lordes of the Queenes majestes most honourable Privie Councell to give passpotes for such persons as we shall thinke conveynyent to passe out of this realm ...” A note at the foot of the document records that it was intended specifically for presentation “to the customs comptrollers and serchers of the portes of Dover of Rye ...” Passports from the Elizabethan period are rare. This example is one of a small number found amongst the c.3600 documents of the Corsini archive (dispersed Christies Robson Lowe, 1984-1988)." Ordered from Samuel Gedge D9306, 2019-05-29, Cat. 28 #2.