DORIA ANDREA: (1466-1560) Italian Condottiero. Genoese Admiral and the finest naval Commander of his era. He was ...

DORIA ANDREA: (1466-1560) Italian Condottiero. Genoese Admiral and the finest naval Commander of his era. He was the Perpetual Censor of Genoa. Rare L.S., `Andrea Doria´, one page, 4to, Genoa, 11th June 1553, to Ferrante Gonzaga, in Italian. Doria states in part `Since for my own nature I cannot deny my help to whoever asks for it, I cannot deny it, especially to those who are connected to me as relatives, as it is the case of Messer Federico Spinola, master of Casale Mosetta in Dartonese. Therefore, I have to do it, and am forced to beg Your Excellency to be agreeable, on account of your kindness and recommend with my affection, to order that, regarding taxation, the property of my relative…´ further saying `If your Kindness accord this favour to Messer Federico, it will be as if you did it to me..´ In 1553, year of the present letter, and until 1555, Doria returned to the seas in response to the seizure of Corsica by the French. With blank address leaf. Bearing a paper seal affixed to the address leaf. Folded. Very small overall minor age wear with few very small stains to the upper edge. G £2000-3000 Doria was in his youth a soldier of fortune. He then served in the Papal guard and under various Italian Princes. Doria would later join the French army and served under Francis I, relieving Marseille in 1524. But unhappy with the defaults of the King of the French, who did not keep his promises with Genoa he decided to serve the Emperor Charles V. Doria re-established the Republic of Genoa expelling the French. He leaded his navy army fighting until 1555 at the age of 89. Doria died five days before his 94th birthday. Ferrante Gonzaga (1507-1557) Italian Condottiero. Commander in chief of the Imperial Italian army and Viceroy of Italy 1535-46.