The figure of the Fleur-de-Lis has been used from the most ancient times 
as a decoration for jewelry, the finals of royal scepters, incorporated in the 
designs of regal crowns and noble coronets and emblazoned upon the Coats 
of Arms of Royal and noble families as well as countries and cities. 
It has been famous as the charge upon the arms of France—and in the 
early Rennaissance Louis XI bestowed upon Piero, the head of the famous de 
Medici family of Florence the right to display upon one of the roundels of their 
shield, the Arms of France! 
Upon the opposite page is the Lily of Florence, which is of course the Iris 
in a formalized designed. When Florence and its bankers, the Medici, Pazzi and 
Tornabuoni families supplied loans to the world it was in golden ‘Florins’ coins 
which invariably showed the Fleur-de-lys. 
Present day Florence now is planning to be host to the creations of the 
Iris breeders of the world. A plan, largely conceived and developed by the 
Contessa Flaminia Goretti Specht of Florence, has been put into effect, wherein 
a Prize is to be given for the best Iris entered and also for the finest and 
reddest Iris. 
This plan is known as the ‘PREMIO FIRENZE’ and rules and information 
may be had by writing to 
CONCORSO INTERNAZIONALE DELL'IRIS 
Comitato E Segreteria 
Pallazzo Strozzi, Firenze, Italy. 
Air mail takes about 5 days—regular mail about three weeks. We would 
strongly urge all interested hybridizers to write at once. We will be happy at 
any time to furnish any additional information about this magnificent and 
ambitious undertaking. 
The first prize is to be a Gold coin of the period of Leopold 11, Grand 
Duke of Tuscany. This is a rare and valuable prize in itself and with it goes 
a special decree granting permission for the winner to use a replica of the 
coin upon his stationery. We can supply a small picture made by the National 
Gallery in Florence to any one interested. 
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