FIL-ITALIA,Volume XLVII, no. 3 Summer 2021 137 Jacopo Gelli: a true pioneer of Italian Philatelic Literature By Francesco Giuliani Reprinted from Arte del Francobollo no. 107, November 2020, by kind permission - Translation by Giorgio Migliavacca Among the philatelic volumes that appeared in 1894, a year marked by the memorable International Philatelic Postal Exhibition in Milan, we quickly notice that of Jacopo Gelli because it is the most modern, the one that comes closest to a catalogue of the 21st Century. We refer to his Philatelic Dictionary, subtitled The Stamp Collector Handbook, with indication of prices, bibliography and history, published by the famous Milanese publisher Ulrico Hoepli. The book, sizable and heavy, is nevertheless manageable, as well as a useful addition to the list of handbooks that the prestigious publishing house ventured to include in its list of reference books. It was part of a wider strategy which included the printing of an elegant Hoepli philatelic album, ideally created to preserve, and hopefully include all the postage stamps and postal stationery issued around the world. At the time philately was becoming increasingly popular, making the Hoepli initiative an important and wide- ranging editorial operation which bespoke of “vision” and therefore deserved attention then, and now. Jacopo Gelli was a remarkable character, born in Orbetello in 1858 (some sources say1857), he ventured in a military career. After graduating in literature he attended the Modena’s Military Academy. In Livorno he was elevated to the rank of colonel, while in Florence he became president of the International Court for the abolition of duelling. The aversion for duelling lured him into a systematic study, which will make him the highest authority on the subject. Duelling Jacopo Gelli (1858-1935) The sixth edition of Gelli’s “How should I write my letters?” published in 1914.