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Libro d'Oro

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The Libro d'Oro (Italian: Golden Book) is a privately published catalogue of members of the nobility.

Following World War II and the fall of Fascism, democratic Italy officially abolished titles and hereditary honours in its republican Constitution. Titles bestowed after 28 October 1922 (i.e. after the rise to power of Fascism) were declared never to have existed. Those families bearing older titles were permitted to use them but as part of their surname. These laws did not apply to the nobility of Rome, in so far as they had been created by the Pope, when he was a sovereign head of state (i.e. until 20 September 1870). In reality after a period of uncertainty the Italian aristocracy continued to use their titles in the same way as they had in previous centuries. This behaviour was cemented by the continued publication of the "Il Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana" published as much to prevent self styled aristocrats social climbing as to list the established nobility. It is not an official publication of the Italian state, which does not recognise titles of nobility or personal coats of arms.

The Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana (Golden Book of the Italian Nobility) is regularly published by the Collegio Araldico of Rome. It lists most, but not all, of Italy's noble families and their cadet branches. First published in 1910, it includes some 2,500 families. Included are those listed in the earlier books the "Libro d’Oro della Consulta Araldica del Regno d’Italia" and the later "Elenchi Ufficiali Nobiliari" of 1921 and of 1933 which contained the most recently enobled families.

The book is a very comprehensive listing all members of a family who may be considered noble. The most recent and 12th edition of "Libro d'Oro della Nobiltà Italiana" was published in September 2000.

The Libro d'Oro should not be confused with a social register - wealth, status and social contacts are of no consideration on the decision as to whether a person may be included in the book, the only consideration is the blood or marital relationship to the head of a noble family. Nor is it a peerage reference such as those published in Great Britain.

Such books had existed in many of the Italian states and cities before the unification of Italy. For example, the Venetian authorities compiled Golden Books on the Ionian Islands, possibly to assist in the collection of taxes rather than as a stud book. Another early example is the Libro d'Oro of Corfu which was first published in 1572.

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