(Autograph) SAINT PAUL VI - Giovanni Battista MONTINI (1897- - Lot 319

(Autograph) SAINT PAUL VI - Giovanni Battista MONTINI (1897-1978, elected Pope in 1963, beatified in 2014 and canonized in 2018) / Typed letter signed in his own hand "J B Montini Subst", as Substitute to the Holy Father's Secretary of State (he was Pope Pius XII's closest collaborator), letterhead engraved with arms "Secreteria di Stato di Sua Santita", from the Vatican, July 3, 1951, 1 p in-4 (beautiful watermark with arms): on behalf of the Holy Father, he thanks his correspondent for sending him booklets devoted to the Ave Maria, "His Holiness has not failed to appreciate the value of this edition, knowing the filial and deferential sentiments which have dictated this gesture, the Holy Father has instructed me to express to you and all your collaborators His paternal gratitude".