1904, Gabriele D’Announzio, La Figlia Di Iorio, First Edition, Adolfo de Karolis, Ex Libris Lady Fitzgerald Law

Description

Gabriele D’Announzio

La Figlia Di Iorio – The Daughter og Iorio

 

Published by Fratelli Treves Editori, Milano in 1904

Woodcuts by Adolfo de Karolis

First Edition

Ex Libris Lady Fitzgerald Law

Fine leather binding with preserved cover pages of the book

166 + 2

18cm x12cm (approx. 7,1 inch. x 4,8 inch.)

 

Adolfo de Carolis (1874–1928) was an Italian painter, xylographer, illustrator and photographer. He is generally associated with Art Nouveau (known as “Stile Liberty” in Italy), although many of his works could also be classified as Symbolism.

 

Sir Edward Fitzgerald Law (1846 – 1908) was a British diplomat and expert in state finance.

Law first went to Greece in 1892, and presided over the finances of Greece, restructuring the Greek debt and the nation’s economy, to the lasting advantage of Greece.

The Greek treasury had been depleted by over-spending and systemic corruption often caused by political campaigns in which parties promised massive spending programmes. The reformist Prime Minister, Charilaos Trikoupis, 1832-1896), stood before parliament and made the most famous statement of his career: ‘Regretfully, we are bankrupt’ («Δυστυχώς επτωχεύσαμεν»).

In 1893, Greek taxation was moderate in comparison to many other European countries. Law suggested increasing it, along with introducing reforms in the imposition and collection of new taxes. He regarded a new loan for Greece as a necessity, but the operation was to comprise funding the floating debt, and reducing the circulation of Greek banknotes during the three following years.

Law’s own views were summarised in his covering letter with his report:

If it be held that the difficulty is solely due to unsuccessful financial administration, a further question arises are the resources of the country sufficient, with reasonable care, to meet existing difficulties, or is the financial position so compromised as to be beyond remedy without prejudice to the honour of the Greek nation and the legitimate rights of its creditors?

Law’s report was leaked in the City in London before it was published, causing considerable speculation in Greek stocks. This ‘regrettable incident’ was attacked in the London daily newspapers, and Law was subjected to some unmerited censure.

However, his report helped restore public confidence in Greece, the servicing of foreign loans was suspended, and all non-essential spending was cut. Some of the results Law might have been expected were frustrated by the untimely fall of Trikoupis and his reformist government.

At a party at the German Embassy there he met Catherine (Kaity), only daughter of Nicholas Hatsopoulos. She was the descendant of an old Byzantine family that was long-settled in Athens. Edward and Kaity were married on 18 October 1893.

In 1894, Kaity was the model for an image of Athens on a medallion struck for Queen Victoria’s daughter, the Empress Frederika (1840-1901), wife of Kaiser Frederick III.

Law stayed on in Greece, and in 1897 he was appointed the British member or commissioner on the International Financial Committee at Athens. He remained the British Minister Resident in Athens from 1898 to 1900.

Source: https://www.patrickcomerford.com/2017/11/sir-edward-law-1846-1908-irish.html