An Evening of Bourbon Numismatics

There are few pleasures greater for an amateur numismatist than gathering with kindred spirits over drinks, light fare, and lively conversation. We recently spent an evening salon-style, passing around coins and medals of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, each piece inspiring discussions of history, artistry, and the Bourbon past. It was a reminder that collections are best appreciated not in isolation, but in the company of those who share the same passion.

Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo at the Church of St. Augustine in Ossining, New York

A Tempting Birthday Gift

Finding a birthday gift for a friend whose massive book collection, particularly when it comes to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, puts mine to shame is no easy task. Yet while perusing his shelves recently, I noticed something genuinely surprising: he did not already own a copy of Giacinto de’ Sivo’s Storia delle Due Sicilie dal 1847 al 1861.

I managed to find a beautiful 1964 Arturo Berisio edition published in Naples: two volumes bound in the publisher’s cloth with gilt lettering and ornamentation, transparent dust jackets, sixteen plates, and the original color-illustrated slipcase, all in fine condition. De’ Sivo’s monumental history is unapologetically pro-Bourbon and remains one of the most important contemporary accounts of the fall of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

I have to admit, after seeing the set in person, I was seriously tempted to keep it for myself. Such are the sacrifices we make for friendship. And, for obvious reasons, I waited until after giving it to him before publishing this. I wasn’t about to ruin the surprise.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, August 18th, Feast of Sant’Elena of the Cross

Feast of Our Lady of Knock at St. John Vianney Church in Colonia, New Jersey

Evviva San Rocco! A Look at the 137th Annual Feast of San Rocco di Potenza in Little Italy, New York

San Rocco di Montpellier, ora pro nobis
Photos courtesy of Pasquale De Davide