The Alfred Mizzi Foundation will be partnering with The Notarial Archives Resources Council to'Adopt a Notary' as part of the corporate social responsibility programme for the centenary celebrations of The Alf. Mizzi & Sons Ltd Group.
Through the 'Adopt a Notary' scheme,The Alfred Mizzi Foundation will be contributing in order to preserve the invaluable range of acts of Notary Bartholomeo Selvagii de Via, whose volumes span from 1531 to 1551. This was announced by Julian Sammut a Trustee of The Alfred Mizzi Foundation during the launch of this sponsorship scheme which was presided by the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government, Dr Owen Bonnici, the Chief Notary to Government and Keeper of the Notarial Archvies, Dr Keith German and Dr Joan Abela, President of the NARC.
Whilst thanking The Alfred Mizzi Foundation for sponsoring the notary,Dr Abela explained that Notary Bartholomeo Selvagii de Via served as the Sovereign Military Order's Notary when the Knights were still in Rhodes and his numerous acts shed precious light on the first few decades of the Knights' stay in Birgu, which had become the new city of Malta. Since very sparse documentation of the daily activities taking place in Birgu for this early period of Hospitaller rule exists, the preservation of these manuscripts is of utmost importance to Maltese historical studies as they shed light on a world that would have otherwise been lost to present day generations.
Dr Abela added that the volume being displayed for the launch covers the administrative year Aug 1544 - Sept 1545 and had medium severity of damage. All notarial volumes of this notary shall also be given a new parchment cover to replace the early 20th century re-binding which is causing substantial damage due to its high acidic content. The parchment was specially bought from William Cowley's Parchment Makers of the UK who are one of the few producers of parchment according to traditional methods in the world. The high standards being set in all of the projects mirror NARC's commitment to transform the Notarial Archives into a centre of excellence in various disciplines.
All work will be carried out under the supervision of book and paper conservator Dr Theresa Zammit Lupi and a detailed report will be issued to record the conservation treatment of each job. During this process the NARC envisages to have aspiring book and paper conservation students participate in the work so that it instils in them the passion for preserving the country's enormous paper heritage.