The Acquaticci Purchase
Building his Dante library volume by volume from bookstall and catalog proved
tedious and time consuming, especially when it came to acquiring the rare
early editions. Around 1900 Zahm decided that he should set about purchasing
a collection already intact, especially since now as Holy Cross Provincial
of the United States he had larger funds at his disposal. He made several
inquiries, and for a time was interested in the famous Leoretti collection.
One consideration, however, prevented too hasty a purchase: he would have
to get a good price.
It was during the spring of 1902 that Zahm learned of a collection assembled
by the Italian Dantophile Giulio Acquaticci.
The collection consisted of some 594 volumes, including 8 incunabula and
fine copies of most 16th century editions of the Comedy. Acquaticci
wanted to dispose of the books because he was changing residence. Zahm was
anxious to make an offer but how? Acquaticci would be suspicious of an American
bidder, and thinking him rich, would raise his asking price.
Zahm knew he needed help, and so he turned to his good friend and regular
correspondent in Italy, Monsignor Denis O'Connell. O'Connell had been sent
to Rome in 1886 to serve as rector of the North American College. Forced
to resign in 1895 during the heat of the Americanist controversy, Cardinal
James Gibbons retained him as vicar of his titular church in Trastevere.
During these years O'Connell formed friendships with several liberal Italian
cardinals. These contacts would prove essential not only in helping Zahm
out of tangles with the Roman Curia (for a time Zahm's Evolution and
Dogma faced censorship), but also in securing the foundation of his
beloved Dante library.
On May 27, 1902, Zahm wrote to O'Connell asking him to serve as an agent
for his dealings with Acquaticci (letter from Zahm to O'Connell, parts A,
B, C,
D). In turn, O'Connell
enlisted the help of a native Cardinal, Domenico Frascarelli. Frascarelli
wrote to Acquaticci in early June to request a copy of his sale catalogue,
Edizioni della Divina Commedia. On June 28, O'Connell forwarded to
Zahm replies from Frascarelli and Acquaticci (postcard from Acquaticci A,
B), together with
the catalogue. (A, B,
C, D,
E, F,
G, H,
I, J,
K, L,
M, N.)
Zahm looked over the catalogue, marking in red the editions he wished to
purchase. He returned it to O'Connell on July 28 with instructions to offer
4,000 lire (then about $775, now about $13,000) for 48 Renaissance volumes,
and to scrupulously supervise their packing and shipment if Acquaticci accepted
(letter from Zahm to O'Connell, parts A,
B, C,
D,). Zahm displayed
a common prejudice: Italians were not to be trusted in financial matters.
Acquaticci did accept, but not without a fuss. Zahm had proposed to pay
cash on delivery. Acquaticci did not understand the American practice, became
angry and nearly called off the deal. Eventually, after some tactful humoring
by Frascarelli, O'Connell arranged to pick up the books at Acquaticci's
home in Treia and make payment in full on the spot. O'Connell examined each
volume carefully, comparing it with its description in the catalogue. A
few disputes arose, but Acquaticci settled them all to his advantage except
one. Half the frontispiece was missing from the 1545 Venetian edition and
O'Connell bargained with Acquaticci to throw in an extra volume for compensation.
On November 25, O'Connell wrote to Zahm announcing that the exhausting affair
was at last complete, and the books were on their way to Notre Dame (A,
B, C,
D).
