A rare manuscript linked to Valencia’s silk industry has been recovered by Spanish authorities after unexpectedly appearing for sale online more than a century after it vanished from official archives.
A century-old mystery returns
Spanish authorities have successfully recovered a historically significant manuscript long thought to have been lost.
The document, originating from the Colegio del Arte Maggiore della Seta, disappeared from archival records over 100 years ago. It recently resurfaced on an online marketplace with an asking price of €71,900.
Disappearance and rediscovery
According to reports from Rome, the manuscript is believed to have gone missing between 1907 and 1909. For more than a century, its whereabouts remained unknown to historians and officials in the Valencia region.
Its existence only came back to light when antiquities researchers stumbled upon an online listing titled “Important Manuscript of the Silk Guild.”
The current owner has stated that he was unaware of any illicit origins. He claims his father purchased the manuscript in the 1970s.
In 1992, the family reportedly digitised the document through a state institution; however, due to administrative oversight at the time, it was never added to the official register of protected cultural heritage. Official archives of the silk guild maintain that the manuscript was never lawfully sold, suggesting it had been either lost or stolen in the past.
A window into Valencia’s golden age
The manuscript’s historical value lies in its connection to the golden age of Valencia’s silk industry. It contains a copy of decrees issued by the Gremi de Velluters and signed by Ferdinand II in 1479, with the surviving version dating to the 17th century.
These decrees marked a pivotal moment, elevating velvet weaving from a craft to a recognised “art,” granting artisans economic privileges and enhanced social standing.
The manuscript itself is also a notable work of art. It is crafted from rare green parchment, bound in velvet bearing the guild’s emblem, and adorned with intricate bronze engravings. The text further provides detailed insight into the social structure and functioning of guilds in 15th-century Valencia.
What happens next
Although classified as a lost archival item, current Spanish law stipulates that temporary ownership remains with the present holder following the investigation, as the 1970s acquisition is considered a civil transaction of historical relevance.
However, authorities have imposed strict conditions. The manuscript will be added to Valencia’s official cultural heritage register, ensuring its protection. The owner will be required to adhere to professional standards for preservation and storage in line with heritage legislation.
The document is currently being held in a Valencian archive, where experts from Spain’s Ministry of Culture are conducting analysis, restoration and detailed study before deciding whether it will be placed on public display.
