TPG385491 The verification of the death of Pius IX by means of the silver hammer, from the \'Revista illustrata\', 24th February 1878 (litho) by Joris, Pio (1843-1921) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: La constatazione della morte di Pio IX col martello d\'argento; Engraved by Moller; Pope Pius IX (1792-1878) Papacy (1846-78) Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti; The longest reigning Pope in Church history; It was traditional for the Cardinal Chamberlain to condirm the death of the Pope by gently tapping his head three times with a silver hammer;); Italian, out of copyright.