Born into the prominent Borgia family as Rodrigo de Borja, he served as pope from August 11, 1492 until his death in 1503; his papal bulls of 1493 confirmed or reconfirmed the rights of the Spanish crown in the New World following the finds of Christopher Columbus. Rare manuscript DS, one page, 11 x 11.75, Rome, January 4, 1502. Significant 'motu proprio,' a type of document issued by the pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him, featuring two handwritten inscriptions signed with his initial. The first, "fiat ut petitur sine pregjudicio [be it as asked without prejudice]," is signed with his initial, "R"; the second, "fiat ut supra [be it as above]," is also signed with his initial, "R." The document legitimizes the illegitimately born Julius des Mucciarelleis. In very good to fine condition, with scattered staining, and multiple vertical folds. A legendary figure as a controversial pope and head of the fascinating Borgia family, Pope Alexander VI was one of the most notorious characters of the Renaissance era. His autograph is virtually unobtainable, and this is the only example we have ever offered.
