17th-century manuscript hunting license from Piacenza.

[Hunting license] / [Manuscript]. Si concede licentia al Sig.r Paolo et al Sig.r Gierolamo delli Arcelli et a Francesco Bricho et Gio. Maria delli Castellotti di potere andare, tanto unitamente quanto separatamente a caccia per tutto il teretorio Piacentio con brachi e levrieri e con l’archebuggio tanto per il longo quanto per il traverso … S.l. [Piacenza]: signed “Gio. Franc. Valbo.,” issued 10 April 1656. [30.1 x 19.9 cm], [1] f. manuscript, corner folded over and sealed with wax. Folds, small holes at the folds, marginal water staining, edge wear, toning to area exposed when folded, neatly written and legible throughout. 
 
 
Rare survival of an early manuscript hunting license. The document was issued on 10 April 1656 in Piacenza for the use of four men to hunt “together or separately” using hounds (brachi e levrieri) or the arquebus (con l’archebuggio). The license was valid until July. The men were permitted to hunt any sort of animal, be it “quadruped or bird,” but not pheasants. 
 
The license is certified by a wax seal at its bottom left corner and by the signatures of two officials. A reference or filing number can be seen written vertically at the bottom left. The document shows signs of having been folded to the size of a wallet, and presumably it was carried by one of the men during the hunt. 
 
 
*Cesare Solatio, L’eccellenza della caccia con l’uso pratico della medema (Roma: per il successore Mascardi, 1669).