Lot 1004: CELLINI, BENVENUTO. 1500-1571. Autograph Letter Signed (Beto. Cellini), 1 p, oblong 8vo, [Florence, c.1566],

CELLINI, BENVENUTO. 1500-1571.
Autograph Letter Signed ("Beto. Cellini"), 1 p, oblong 8vo, [Florence, c.1566], to Filippo d'Anterigoli, about the purchase of a half-share in a farm at Poggio, autograph address on verso with note "Ma. lisabetta serva" and a mathematical calculation, trace of seal, pinhole affecting one letter, light foxing.
Provenance: Sotheby's, May 28, 1986, lot 45; Sotheby's New York, December 17, 1992, lot 49.

CELLINI TO HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATE AND WOULD BE ASSASSIN. In part II, chapters CII-CX of the Vita, Cellini describes his dealings with "a certain rascal from Vecchio called Piermaria d'Anterigoli and surnamed Lo Sbietta" and "his brother Ser Filippo," which entailed the purchase of a farm from the brothers for the term of his natural life, their subsequent attempt to poison Cellini at a dinner, and, after Cellini's unlikely survival, their failure to honor the terms of the sale and the ensuing arbitration. Cellini complains bitterly of his treatment by the brothers, laments the loss of several pieces of business as well as a year of his life spent recovering, but ends the account by noting that nevertheless "in the December of 1566 following, I made another blunder. I bought half of the farm Del Poggio from them, or rather from Sbietta, for two hundred crowns ... I did this for the best; but I should have to dilate too long upon the topic were I to enter into all the rascalities they practiced on me. Therefore, I refer my cause entirely to God, knowing that He hath ever defended me from those who sought to do me mischief" (Vita part II, CX).

The present, heated letter to Filippo regards the completion of this latter transaction. Cellini informs Filippo that a reply to his most recent inquiry has already been sent, demands the return of a sum of money, and threatens to expose the brothers' rascality. Letters in the hand of Cellini are very rare on the market, with only the present example and one other recorded in the auction records of ABPC and RareBookHub in the last fifty years.