1903 Typed Letter Signed – Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val – Original Envelope – Later Devotional Card from His Private Chapel – Relic Fragment of His Fascia – Archive of Miss Violet Wills (Siena)
A remarkable two‑period archive relating to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865–1930), Secretary of State to Pope Pius X, comprising his 1903 typed letter signed, the original 1903 envelope, and later devotional material connected to his private chapel, preserved by the same recipient, Miss V. Wills (almost certainly Violet Wills, an English Catholic woman documented in contemporary memoir literature).
THE 1903 LETTER (TLS) Typed letter dated 11 September 1903, addressed to “Dear Miss Wills”, written during the earliest weeks of Merry del Val’s tenure as Secretary of State. A deeply personal spiritual‑direction letter, urging her to avoid “dangerous influence”, to strengthen her character, and to go “frequently to the Sacrament”. The tone is pastoral, intimate, and entirely characteristic of his known spiritual counsel. Signed in full:
“+ Rafael Merry del Val”
Two pages, clean and legible.
THE ORIGINAL ENVELOPE (1903) Addressed to:
Miss V. Wills S. Caterina Via Belle Arti 31 Siena
Postmarked ROMA FERROVIA – 12.9.03 2 S (the “9” mirrored and the “3” partially damaged, typical of early railway cancellers). This confirms the letter was posted, not hand‑delivered, and that Miss Wills was already resident in a religious house / retreat environment in Siena in 1903. Torn corner where the stamp was removed.
THE DEVOTIONAL CARD (POST‑1930) Printed devotional card titled “SS. Vergine Desolata”, with imprint:
“Sacra Immagine eseguita su concetto del compianto Cardinale Merry del Val per la Sua Cappella privata. Stab. Sanbaini – Roma.”
Translation: “Sacred image executed according to a design conceived by the late Cardinal Merry del Val for his private chapel. Sanbaini Works – Rome.”
This is a memorial devotional card, produced after his death, based on imagery he designed for his private chapel.
THE RELIC FRAGMENT (POST‑1930) Sewn to the reverse of the card is a piece of red silk fascia, with a handwritten note reading:
“Brano della fascia usata dal compianto Card. Merry del Val (d.s.m.)” (“Fragment of the sash used by the late Cardinal Merry del Val (of holy memory).”)
A small but significant devotional relic, typical of Roman ecclesiastical circles in the 1930s–40s.
PROVENANCE: MISS VIOLET WILLS The recipient, Miss V. Wills, is almost certainly Violet Wills, an English Catholic woman documented in early 20th‑century memoir literature as impressionable, spiritually guided, and living abroad in religious houses. The 1903 TLS and envelope show her resident at S. Caterina, Siena, and the later devotional relics demonstrate her continued connection to Roman clergy after Merry del Val’s death.
This creates a coherent two‑period archive:
1903: direct spiritual counsel from Merry del Val
Post‑1930
Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.
Rafael Merry del Val y Zulueta, OL (Oct 1865 – Feb 1930) was a Spanish Catholic bishop, Vatican official, and cardinal. Before becoming a cardinal, he served as the secretary of the papal conclave of 1903 that elected Pope Pius X, who is said to have accepted his election through Merry del Val's encouragement. Pius X later appointed him as the Cardinal Secretary of State. Merry del Val's writings and example prompted greater popularity for the Litany of Humility, which was for some decades incorrectly attributed to him. He was greatly responsible to restoring the privileges to Hispanic countries, which honor him for the devotions and traditionalist practices he fostered by personally signing and executing their petitions to the Holy Office. A cause for his canonization was opened in 1953 at the behest of Pope Pius XII. He now has the title Servant of God.
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed
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