Summary

Book, 'Poeti Italiani', published by Presso Lefevre, Librajo, Paris in 1856. It contains writings by various Italian poets, including Dante, and Petrarch, and includes a complete version of Dante's 'The Divine Comedy'. The book was ordered by Italian migrant Giuseppe Tesoriero from A.B. Scott Secondhand Booksellers in Swanston Street Melbourne while he was detained at Butler's Gorge in Tasmania as an enemy alien in 1944-45.

Joe Tesoriero was born in 1925 in Sicily, Italy. In 1937, Joe migrated to Australia with his brother Sam, joining their father who had previously migrated to Melbourne around 1926. They worked in fruit shops around Melbourne and were reunited with their mother and sister in Melbourne after the war had ended. In 1943, Joe and Sam were detained as enemy aliens as were many Italians during World War II. They were sent to cut wood, first in East Gippsland and then at Butler's Gorge in Tasmania. After the War the brothers returned to their fruit shop business, with Sam and his wife returning to Sicily in 1965. Joe purchased the family business in Chapel Street, but retired in 1970 to care for his elderly mother.

Physical Description

Brown, hard cover book with gold embossed border around cover and edging of page leaves. 902 printed pages. Inside page includes handwritten inscriptions.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
This collection represents the important theme of internment and restriction of 'enemy aliens' during World War II. It complements other material in the Museum's collection relating to German and Italian internment such as the Karl Muffler German pastry chef and internee collection.

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