Monaco’s Mediatheque has received an extraordinary donation of 614 rare books from the personal library of Robert Fillon, former ambassador and president of the Albert I Centenary Commemoration Committee.

The handover was formalised on 14th January 2025 at City Hall, with Mayor Georges Marsan and senior officials present to welcome this exceptional addition to the Fonds Patrimonial.

The collection spans six centuries of publishing history, from the 15th to the 20th century, and includes invaluable works that chronicle the evolution of thought and the art of bookmaking. Among the highlights is a 1478 parchment edition of Mammotrectus super Bibliam, printed just 25 years after the invention of the printing press. This landmark acquisition is the Mediatheque’s first incunable—a term reserved for books printed before 1500—and evokes the legacy of Gutenberg’s printing revolution.

Another standout piece is a meticulously preserved 18th-century edition of the Encyclopédie by Diderot and d’Alembert, a cornerstone of Enlightenment-era knowledge and intellectual exploration.

“Public service is about serving the public, and this is what City Hall represents so well,” said Fillon. “I am proud and moved to donate part of my collection to an institution dedicated to making knowledge accessible.”

Mayor Georges Marsan expressed his gratitude, noting the donation’s special significance in the year of the reopening of Médiathèque Caroline at the Îlot Pasteur. “This gift greatly enriches our cultural heritage, and we thank you wholeheartedly,” he said.

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco