The donations by a Marquis-librarian
Among the noteworthy donations to the National Library, the collection of Marquis Faustino Curlo stands out, particularly focusing on Cristoforo Colombo and Benvenuto Cellini. Curlo, a law graduate from the University of Turin, began his career as a librarian in 1898 and served primarily in Turin until his retirement in 1933.
He played a crucial role in saving manuscripts after the 1904 fire, recovering 1,843 manuscripts. Known for his erudition and storytelling, Curlo was a member of various scholarly societies and made scholarly contributions, particularly in historical, genealogical, and bibliographical fields. He also spent his holidays in Coazze, Val Sangone, conducting research on local history. His bookplate, designed in 1925, depicts the Sacra di San Michele della Chiusa and a Dominican friar in meditation, symbolizing his scholarly pursuits and reverence for silence.