210, Lot: 470. Estimate $150. Sold for $601. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Papal Bullae. Gregory XV (Alessandro Ludovisi). 1621-1623. PB Bulla (36mm, 47.12 g, 12h). GRE/GORIVS/· PAPA ·/· XV · in four lines; all within linear-beaded border / Bare heads of Sts. Paul and Peter, facing slightly right and left, respectively, each within halo; [S]/P/A and [S]/P/E above, long cross between; all within linear-beaded border. Serafini II 138 (same dies as bulla illustrated). Good VF, minor roughness, yellow chord still intact.

From the Luparello Collection.

The first Jesuit-trained Pope, Gregory XV brought with him a great deal of experience in diplomacy. One of his most important acts as Pope was the bull aeterni patris, which regulated the modes of papal election. He also issued the last papal ordinance against witchcraft in Omnipotentis Dei. Widely respected by many of the European rulers, he strove to promote peace and unity among the Catholic world.