Signorelli, Angelo (1876-1952)

by Hadrien Rambach

The obituary of Dr Signorelli in The Times read: “Dr. Angelo Signorelli died recently in Rome, where for fifty years he had been a well-known and loved figure. His eminence as a scientist, more especially as an investigator of tubercular infection, and his skills as an organiser of medical services, particularly in the field of maternity and child welfare, were equalled by his fame as a humanist. From humble origins he rose to be physician to famous people, including [the Prime Minister Giovanni] Giolitti and the actress Eleanora Duse. He devoted himself unselfishly, no less, to the health and welfare of poor and struggling artists, and the gratitude of the latter is reflected in his unique collection of modern Italian paintings, the work of de Chirico, Modigliani, Severini, de Pisis and many others. Almost more famous were his collections of Greek coins and Greek vases, excavated mainly by himself”.

The dispersal of his many ancient coins took place in three auctions by Santamaria (October 1951 – June 1952 – March 1953), as did the dispersal of his Italian coins (January 1954 – March 1955). The two sales of Roman coins contained 2,939 lots.

Bibliography:

• John Spring, Ancient Coins Auction Catalogues 1880-1980, London 2009, pp. 256-257.
• Hadrien Rambach, “Provenance glossary”, in Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 91: the George W. La Borde collection of Roman aurei – part I, Zurich, 23 May 2016, pp. [67]-[79].
• Hadrien Rambach, “Provenance glossary”, in Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 99: the George W. La Borde collection of Roman aurei – part II, Zurich, 29 May 2017, pp. 47-63.
• Hadrien Rambach, “Provenance glossary”, in Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 105: the George W. La Borde collection of Roman aurei – part III, Zurich, 9 May 2018, pp. 82-105.

This article was first published in a catalogue of auction house Numismatica Ars Classica.