Medieval Notary Manuscripts & Law Books

EXCESSIVELY SCARCE LAW ON THE HUNTING IN SWEDEN
ONLY ANOTHER COPY KNOWN

SWEDEN GOVERNMENT.Kongl. may.tz Ordningh och Stadga, Om Jachter, Diurefång och Fogelskiutande, Giord och förbättrat på Rijkzdagen som höltz i Stockholm åhr 1664. Tryckt i Stockholm, af Ignatio Meurer, kongl. booktr. åhr 1664 (Stockholm: Ignatius Meurer, 1664).

4to, later colored paperboards, pp. [12].
Fine woodcut device at title-page with the royal coat of arms. Printed in Gothic type.

Excessively scarce publication of Sweden Government (dated 19 August 1669 and signed by the Queen Hedwig Eleonora) on hunting regulation in Sweden and Finland.

Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp (23 October 1636 – 24 November 1715) was Queen of Sweden from 1654 until 1660. She was the wife of Charles X Gustav of Sweden and mother of Charles XI. She served as regent during the minority of her son from 1660 until 1672, and during the minority of her grandson Charles XII in 1697. She also represented Charles XII during his absence in the Great Northern War from 1700 until the regency of her granddaughter Ulrika Eleonora in 1713. Hedwig Eleonora was described as a dominant personality and was regarded as the de facto first lady of the royal court for 61 years, from 1654 until her death.

References: OCLC 185352453 (only the copy at National Library of Sweden).

HUTH'S COMMENTARY ON DECRETALS
NOT IN USA

HUTH, ADAM. Ius Canonicum Ad Libros V. Decretalium Gregorii IX : Explicatum Et Per Quaestiones Ac Responsa In Methodum Brevem Et Claram Redactum. 5, ... De Delictis et Poenis Authore R. P. Adamo Huth e Societatum Jesu, Ss. Canonum Doctore, eormque in Alma Electorali Universitate Heidelbergensi Professore Publico et Ordinario. Augustae Vindelicorum, Sumptibus Mathiae Wollf, 1738 (Augsburg: Wollf, 1738).

8vo, contemporary stiff vellum, red edges.
Xylographic frontispiece.

Good German edition of Huth's commentary on the five books of Pope Gregory IX's Decretals.

Reference: OCLC locates 18 copies worldwide, but no copy in USA.

FIRST EDITION OF THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH COUNCILS

IACOBAZZI, DOMENICO. Reuerendiss. in Christo patris d. Dominici card. Iacobatii De concilio tractatus. Romae, excudebat Antonius Bladus, mense Octobri anno 1538.

A thick folio (295x196), late 17th century stiff vellum binding with five raised bands, lable and gilt-lettered title, sprinkled edges, pp. [40], 783, [1].
Sumptuous xylographic title-page, numerous head-letters (some with criblé background.

First edition of this exhaustive treatise on the History of Catholic Church Councils.

Domenico Iacobazzi or Giacobazzi (1444–1528) was an Italian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal, scholar of Christian theology, civil and canon law. He participated in the Fifth Council of the Lateran and became the pope's vicar general. Pope Leo X made him a cardinal priest in the consistory of July 1517. He participated in both the papal conclave of 1521-22 that elected Pope Adrian VI, and in the papal conclave of 1523 that elected Pope Clement VII. In 1524, he became Bishop of Nocera dei Pagani.

References: Fumagalli, 46: «Bell' edizione». OCLC 66082678.

POPE INNOCENTIUS IV'S COMMENTARY ON DECRETALS: A MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF CANON LAW

INNOCENTIUS IV, Pope. Innocentii IIII pont. max. In quinque libros decretalium, necnon in decretales per eundem Innocentium editas, quae modo in sexto earundem volumine sunt insertae, & in huius operis elencho, vt cunctis pateant adnotatae, commentaria doctissima. Cum Pauli Roselli, adnotationibus, et loco indicis, Baldi Margarita. Nunc vero diligentiori quam antea studio recognita, ab innumerisque erroribus, ex omnibus quae inueniri statuere, voluminibus hactenus excusis integritati suae restituta. Summas etiam rerum notabilium quam plurimis in locis vbi deerant adijci curauimus. Additis insuper vita eiusdem auctoris, ac nouo indice ita locupleti, vt nil amplius desiderari posse, certo sciant omnes. Venetiis, apud Iuntas, 1578.

Large folio volume, contemporary stiff vellum, handwritten titles on spine, ff. [24], 236, [32].
Title page with large-size printer’s device, woodcut head-letters, text on two columns.

Pope Innocentius IV’s famous commentary to the Gregorius IX’s decretals —here in a gorgeous edition of late 16th century: a milestone in the history of medieval canon law.

Sinibaldo Fieschi, later pope Innocentius IV (1243-1254), was born in Genoa before 1200. Brilliant scholar in Bologna, of renowned canonists as Laurentius Hispanus, Johannes Teutonicus, Jacobus de Albenga and Vincentius Hispanus as well as civil lawyers as Azo, Jacobus Balduinus and Accursius., after teaching canon law in the same university, soon became one of the most respected jurists in the Roman curia. Appointed, since 1226 Auditor of Audientia litterarum contradictarum, was created cardinal by Pope Gregory IX in 1127, and then elected pope in 1243, after the death of Celestine IV. His pontificate was not easy, marked, among other things, by the deposition of the Emperor Frederick II at the Council of Lyons in 1254.

References: CNCE 28474. OCLC 797733908.

VERY SCARCE COPY PRINTED ON VELLUM
THE COPY QUOTED BY BRUNET, WITH CARDINAL ORSINI’S SIGNATURE

PIUS V (POPE). EXTENSIO, AMPLIATIO | NOVA CONCESSIO, ET CON- | FIRMATIO PRIVILEGIORVM | SANCTISS. AC BEATISS. D. D. PII | HVIVS NOMINIS V. | PONT. MAX. | IN SACROS ORDINES, ET | CONGREGATIONES CLAUSTRALES. | PRO CANONICIS REGVLARIBVS | ORDINIS S. AUGUSTINI CONGREGATIONIS | DOMINI SALUATORIS. | R O M AE | APUD HAEREDES ANTONIJ BLADI IMPRESSORES CAMERALES. | M. D. LXVII. [Rome, Heirs of Antonio Blado, Cameral Printers, 1567].

4to (226x154 mm), blue morocco modern binding within a box in the same material, gilt frame to covers, five raised bands spine with decorations and letterings printed in gold, ff. [12].

At title-page, woodcut printer’s device with the Christus Salvator Mundi, full-page xylography at verso of title-page representing St. Augustin in episcopal dress and, by his feet, the arms of Pius V. Woodcut initials.

Very scarce copy printed on vellum, with the signature of Cardinal Flavio Orsini and the countersignature of the notary Matteo Boccarini: this is the copy quoted by Brunet in his Trèsor and, afterwards, by Graesse, both recording the presence of this copy on the antiquarian market around the middle of the 19th century.

The book deals with the confirmation and extension of the privileges bestowed by the Pope to the Regular Canons of the Congregation of the Holy Saviour in Lateran, best known as St. John in Lateran. On the 3rd of March of 1566, Pius V appointed Flavio Orsini dean of the Congregation of the Regular Canons of St. Augustin of the Holy Saviour: the original document is stored in the «Archivio Storico Capitolino».

Provenance: Presumably the copy made for the Pope himself, as proven by the use of vellum as printing basis. At verso of the last leaf, official signature Fra: Car.lis Urs.s with countersignature of the notary M. Boccarinus ca: ap: not(aius): he should be Matteo Boccarini from Amelia (near Terni), very close to the Orsini family. Boccarini himself was the notary that wrote the wedding contracts between Federico Sforza of St. Fiora and Beatrice Orsini, to whom Flavio Orsini let a dowry of 22000 scutes (Archivio Orsini, in «Archivio Storico Capitolino», II.A.26,003).

Census: No copy on vellum in Censimento. Also the paper copies are scarce, only 5 copies located in Italian public libraries: Bologna U; Reggio Emilia, Biblioteca Panizzi; Reggio Emilia, Archivio di Stato; Roma, N; Roma, Biblioteca Angelica. There seems to be no copy (unaccountably) at the Vatican Library.

References: The copy quoted by Brunet (IV, 681): «Un exemplaire imprimé sur VÉLIN, accompagné de la confirmation desdits priviléges, par le cardinal Orsini, en manuscrit. 2 liv. 16 sh. Libri, en 1859». Graesse, V, 307: «Il ne existe un ex. tiré sur vélin (15 fr. Mac-Carthy. 2 l. 16 sh. Libri)». For the original manuscript of this work see in «Archivio Storico Capitolino» (Archivio Orsini, II.A.26,005).

THE DEFINITIVE EDITION OF THE COLLECTED SENTENCES OF FLORENCE AND LUCCA TRIBUNALS

Magonio, Girolamo. Decisiones causarum tam Rotae Florentinae, quam Rotae Lucensis. Omnibus legum professoribus, ac in foro versantibus perutiles & necessariae. Nunc primum in lucem editae. Cum indicibus locupletissimis.Venetiis, apud Sessas, 1605.

2 parts in a folio volume (325x220 mm), near contemporary vellum binding with handwritten title on four raised bands spine, pp. [56], 346, [70], 263, [1].
The first title-page printed in red and black; thext on two columns, numerous woodcut headletters.

Definitive edition of the collected sentences of Florence and Lucca Courts:it is the reprint of Sessa 1597 edition with the same commentary of the renowned jurist from Orvieto, but enlarged with a conspicuous index.

References: OCLC 14119171.

THE MOST COMPLETE EDITION OF THE STATUTES OF THE REPUBLIC OF VENICE, IN WHICH ARE COLLECTED THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAWS FROM THE ELEVENTH CENTURY UNTIL THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

[1.]: Novissimum statutorum ac Venetarum legum volumen, duabus in partibus divisum, Aloysio Mocenigo Venetiarum principi dicatum. Venetiis: ex typographia ducali Pinelliana, 1729.
[bound together with:]
[2.]: Leggi criminali del serenissimo dominio Veneto in un solo volume raccolte, e per pubblico decreto ristampate. [Venezia]: Presso li figliuoli del qu: Gio: Antonio Pinelli Stampatori Ducali, 1751.

4to (240x180 mm), half vellum binding with corners, marbled paper at boards, gilt title on a red leather label at spine. Text in Latin and Italian.

[1.]: Leaves [13], 302 leaves, pp. 115, [1]. Printer's device at title-page (in a figured frame a woman, representing the Justice, with a sword in the right hand and a scale in the left, sitting on two lions).
Xylographic image at frontispiece representing the Lion of Saint Mark, holding the paw on the book of the Gospel opened with the words: Pax tibi Marce Evangelista meus. Another xylographic image representing the Lion of Saint Mark at leaf A1r.
Xylographic initials. Title at false title-page: Novissima Veneta statuta.

Important collection of Venetian statutes comprising the first five books of the Doge Giacomo Tiepolo and the sixth of the Doge Andrea Dandolo, the statutes of the judges of the petition formed the year 1244, the ancient laws under the title of Consulta, the Law Pisana issued on 1492, the practice of the Palace of Venice, the corrections of the Doges Barbarigo Loredan, Grimani, Gritti, Trevisan, Cicogna, Memo, Bembo, Priuli, Francesco Contarini, Erizzo, Carlo Contarini, Domenico Contarini and Alvise Contarini.

[2.]: Leaves 233, [1]. Xylographic image representing the Lion of Saint Mark at title-page. Other xylographic image representing the Lion of Saint Mark at leaf A1r.

Original edition of this collection of the criminal laws of the Republic of Venice.

Provenance: Private library of a Verona noble family, whose roots are in Mantua and in which there were distinguished lawyers and jurists.

References:
[1.]: IT\ICCU\VIAE\012929. OCLC, 691918 and 632085449.
[2.]: IT\ICCU\PUVE\003798. OCLC, 14136575.

VERY SCARCE FIRST EDITION OF MASCARDI'S COMMENTARY ON FERRARA STATUTES
APPARENTLY NO COPIES IN USA

Mascardi, Alderano. Commvnes i. v. conclvsiones ad generalem Quorumcumq, Statutorum interpretationem accommodatæ ac omnibus tam in iudicando, quam in consulendo, & alijs in foro versantibus perutiles, ac necessarie: cum suis ampliationibus, & limitationibus magis à doctoribus receptis; summarijs vnicuique conclusioni adiectis, & indice rerum, ac sententiarum locupletiss. Illustriss. et reuerendiss. D.D. Benedicto S.R.E. presbytero cardinali Iustiniano Bononiae legato, &c [...]. Ferrariae, Apud Victorium Baldinum Typographum Cameralem, 1608.

Folio (294x205 mm), full vellum binding, handwritten title at three raised bands spine, pp. [52], 414, [2, last blank]. Titlepage printed in red and black, with Cardinal coat of arms, xylographic headletters and decorations at preliminary pages.

Very scarce first edition of Mascardi's commentary on Ferrara Statutes.

Alderano Mascardi (1557-1607) was a jurist, brother of the more famous Giuseppe. He spent his career working on criminal and civil trials in Tuscan and Emilia, under the Doria family of Genoa, that supported him to become auditor for the Rota of Lucca, where he worked from 1602 to 1604, and for the Rota of Bologna, from 1604 to his death. The Conclusiones contained in this volume come from his activity as auditor, and are a representation of the Statutes of Ferrara based on custom. The subjects are organized by argument, and each detailed discussion is preceded by a general summary.

Provenance: Twinge handwritten annotations at external margin of p. 263.

References: Fontana, pars I, col. 633. Sapori, I, 1816 (imperfect). No copies in USA (OCLC 79045898 for the edition printed in Turin). Fontana, pars I, col. 633. Sapori, I, 1816 quotes only an incomplete copy.

FIRST EDITION OF GIBERTI'S COLLECTED WORKS, CONTAINING THE FAMOUS CONSTITUTIONES GIBERTINAE

Giberti, Matteo.Opera nunc primum collecta, et ineditis ejusdem opusculis aucta ... auctoris vita, dissertatione, variisque monumentis illustrata [by Petrus and Hieronymus Ballerinius]. et sub auspiciis illustrissimi ac reverendissimi Joannis Bragadeni Veronae episcopi edita. Veronae: Ex typographia Petri Antonii Berni, 1733.

Small folio, 19th century half calf, pp. [16], civ, 356.
One engraved plate with the bishop Giberti at the beginning of the Constitutions.
The Appendix contains: P.F. Zini Boni pastoris exemplum, ac specimen singulare ex I.M.G. ... expressum, atque propositum; A. Castiglionei orationem funebrem Italicam de ipsius Giberti laudibus: A. Fumani alteram Latinam funebrem laudationem, etc.
Title vignette; head- and tail-pieces, initials.
Most text in Latin, with some in Italian.

First edition of Giberti's Collected Works, edited by the philologists Pietro and Girolamo Ballerini, also containing the Constitutiones Gibertinae, both in Latin and Italian version.

Gian Matteo Giberti (1495–1543) was an Italian diplomat, Bishop of Verona.
Giberti was chosen a member of the Consilium de Emendanda Ecclesia, the reform committee decreed by the Fifth Lateran Council, but political events soon put an end to these labours. At Pavia (1525) he tried to make peace between Francis I of France and Charles V. It was at his prompting that Clement VII espoused the cause of France; the League of Cognac (22 May 1526) was also his work.
After the Sack of Rome (1527) he was put in prison and barely escaped death. He succeeded in making his escape, and went to Verona (1528) intending to devote himself to his diocese. He was done with politics, all the more because the pope had gone over to the imperial cause. However, he appeared from time to time in the Curia. Pope Paul III recalled him to Rome for the work of the Reform Committee; among other missions he was sent to Trent to make preparations for the council.
His efforts to reform his diocese, whose clergy were in a deplorable state, were crowned with success. The Tridentine reforms were put in force long before the council assembled. St. Charles Borromeo, before taking charge of his see at Milan, wished to study Giberti's system at Verona, and chose as his vicar-general a priest from Verona trained in Giberti's school.
His first aim was to improve the standard of ecclesiastical knowledge. In his own palace he set up a printing-press which turned out numerous editions of the Greek Fathers, in whose writings he was very learned. He reformed the choir-school of Verona; for the instruction of the young he had printed the catechism known as Dialogus, the work of Tullio Crispoldi (1539).

SECOND EDITION OF GIBERTI'S COLLECTED WORKS, CONTAINING THE FAMOUS CONSTITUTIONES GIBERTINAE

Giberti, Matteo.Opera nunc primum collecta, et ineditis ejusdem opusculis aucta ... auctoris vita, dissertatione, variisque monumentis illustrata [by Petrus and Hieronymus Ballerinius]. Hostiliae (Ostiglia), Apud A. Carattonium, 1740..

Small folio, contemporary stiff vellum, pp. 349.
One engraved plate with the bishop Giberti at the beginning of the Constitutions.
The Appendix contains: P.F. Zini Boni pastoris exemplum, ac specimen singulare ex I.M.G. ... expressum, atque propositum; A. Castiglionei orationem funebrem Italicam de ipsius Giberti laudibus: A. Fumani alteram Latinam funebrem laudationem, etc.
Title vignette; head- and tail-pieces, initials.
Most text in Latin, with some in Italian.

Second edition of Giberti's Collected Works, edited by the philologists Pietro and Girolamo Ballerini, also containing the Constitutiones Gibertinae, both in Latin and Italian version.

Gian Matteo Giberti (1495–1543) was an Italian diplomat, Bishop of Verona.
Giberti was chosen a member of the Consilium de Emendanda Ecclesia, the reform committee decreed by the Fifth Lateran Council, but political events soon put an end to these labours. At Pavia (1525) he tried to make peace between Francis I of France and Charles V. It was at his prompting that Clement VII espoused the cause of France; the League of Cognac (22 May 1526) was also his work.
After the Sack of Rome (1527) he was put in prison and barely escaped death. He succeeded in making his escape, and went to Verona (1528) intending to devote himself to his diocese. He was done with politics, all the more because the pope had gone over to the imperial cause. However, he appeared from time to time in the Curia. Pope Paul III recalled him to Rome for the work of the Reform Committee; among other missions he was sent to Trent to make preparations for the council.
His efforts to reform his diocese, whose clergy were in a deplorable state, were crowned with success. The Tridentine reforms were put in force long before the council assembled. St. Charles Borromeo, before taking charge of his see at Milan, wished to study Giberti's system at Verona, and chose as his vicar-general a priest from Verona trained in Giberti's school.
His first aim was to improve the standard of ecclesiastical knowledge. In his own palace he set up a printing-press which turned out numerous editions of the Greek Fathers, in whose writings he was very learned. He reformed the choir-school of Verona; for the instruction of the young he had printed the catechism known as Dialogus, the work of Tullio Crispoldi (1539).
At Verona, moreover, he gathered around him a group of learned men to assist him in his efforts at reform.

RARE FIRST EDITION OF MARESCOTTI'S REPERTORY OF LAWSUITS
ONLY ONE COPY IN USA

Marescotti, Ercole. Variarum Resolutionum, Liber Primus, & Secundus. Inquibus selectiores Utriusque iuris materiae tam beneficiales, quam prophanae, quae apud omnia tribunalia frequentius in disputationem veniunt; necnon dubia, & quaestiones, [...] adducuntur [...]. Romae, Ex Typographia, & Sumptibus Aegydii Spadae, 1614.

Two volumes bound together, folio (313x215 mm), vellum binding with handwritten titles at spine, boards enriched by handcolored paper, edges sprayed in red and blue ink, ff. [20], 224, [4], 307, [145]. Titlepages printed in red and black, xylographic Cardinals coat of arms, typographical small hands at margins, xylographical decorations and headletters along the volume, text on two columns.

Scarce first edition of Resolutiones by Marescotti, that provides jurists, magistrates and students with a collection of real cases from Inheritance Law to Emphyteusis, from Commercial to Civil Law.

Ercole Marescotti (m. 1621) was a famous Italian jurisconsultant, belonging to an old noble family from Bologna.

Provenance: at titlepages sepia ink handwritten ownership signatures, Ex Libris de Vincentij de Ravanis I.C. beside the coat of arms.

Bibliography: Fontana, pars I, col. 621. Not in Sapori, that only mentions the Venetian edition of 1625 (I, 1784), the only Marescotti’s work present in the catalogue. OCLC 427998602 locates in USA only the copy at University of Michigan Law Library.

SECOND EDITION OF THE DECREES OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS

Various Authors (Jesuit Fathers). Decreta congregationum generalium Societatis Iesu. Secunda editio. Rome: in Collegio Romano eiusdem Societatis, 1616.

Large 8vo, 18th century calf (spine restored), blue edges, pp. [8], 560, [32].
Title within ornamental woodcut border. Xylographic device with the monogram of the Society of Jesus at title-page. Woodcut head- and tailpieces, woodcut initials. Printed marginal notes.

Second edition of the Jesuits Decrees (first printed in 1615), contains decrees of the first seven General Congregations, wanted by the of Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Claudio Aquaviva.

The edition was printed by the typography of the Roman College of the Jesuits.

References: Backer & Sommervogel, V, 96. IT\ICCU\UM1E\003237. OCLC, 38167643 (four copies in USA).

EXCESSIVELY SCARCE COLLECTION OF JESUIT’S CANONS AND DECREES
NOT IN USA

1. Indiculus decretorum easdem res tractantium In Congregationibus Generalibus Societatis Iesu Confici iussus a Congregatione VIII. Decreto XIV. Editio Secunda auctior & emendatior. Romae, Typis Varesij, 1662.
[bound with:]

2.Vitelleschi, Muzio. Epistola reuerendi p.n. generalis Mutij Vitelleschi ad patres, et fratres Societatis Iesu [...] [Dated at end: Romae 15. Nouemb. 1639]
[bound with:]

3-4-5. Decreta congregationis octauae [nonae et decimae ] generalis [after 14. IV. 1646].
[bound with:]

6. Piccolomini, Francesco. Ordinatio pro studijs superioribus ex deputatione, quae de illis habita est in Congregatione nona generali. A R.P.N. Francisco Piccolomineo ad prouincias missa. Anno 1651
[bound with:]

7. Decreta congregationis generalis vndecimae
[bound with:]

8-9-10. Canones Congregationis generalis octauae [ nonae et decimae ]
[bound with:]

11. Canones Congregationis generalis vndecimae
[bound with:]

12. Instructio Pro administratione rerum temporalium collegiorum, ac domorum probationis Societatis Iesu. [S.l. s.n., not before 1646: publication date based on References in text (p. 1) to the Eighth General Congregation of the Jesuits, which took place in 1646].
[bound with:]

13. Regulae, quae a patribus reuisoribus generalibus Romae in recognoscendis nostrorum libris, ac scriptis obseruandae sunt .
[bound with:]

14. Deputatio pro ordinationibus non impressis recognouit, iuxta congregationis octauae praescriptum, censuras, & praecepta, generaliter hominibus societatis imposita.
[Probably all printed in Rome by Varesi, after the half of 17th century].

8vo (147x100 mm), limp marbled paperboards, pp. 93, [7, the last two blanks] for the first work; 221, [1, blank], 79, [9], 35, [1, blank], 25, [5, the last blank], 18, [12, the last 4 blanks], 6, [2], 16, 8, 13, [3, blanks]. Some woodcuts headletters and tail-pieces.

Excessively scarce collection of 14 conference publications containing decrees, letters, rules, congresses and canons relating to the Company of Jesus.

References:
1. OCLC 6718315 locates 3 copies —none in USA. Not in Backer-Sommervogel.
2. OCLC 775006721: only a copy worldwide, located at St. Louis University (Missouri). This Vitelleschi’s work is commonly known as De anno saeculari Societatis. See Backer-Sommervogel, v. 8, column 849, no. 7 and v. 5, column 114.
3-4-5. OCLC 40208901 locates only a copy in USA, at University of Chicago Library, that doesn’t owns the 11th Decree (no. 7).
6. Not in USA. OCLC, 560529901: the copy of British Library (UK). Not in Backer-Sommervogel. See volume 6, column 700.
7. Not in USA. OCLC 276917578 (BL). Not in Backer-Sommervogel.
8-9-10. Not in USA. OCLC 560513606 for the octava, OCLC 560513615 for the nona and OCLC 560513626 for the decima (all in British Library).
11. Not in USA. OCLC 560513635 (British Library).

FIRST EDITION IN ITALIAN LANGUAGE OF JUSTINIAN’S INSTITUTIONS

[Sources of Western Law] Justinianus-Sansovino (translator). L’Institutioni imperiali del sacratissimo prencipe Giustiniano Cesare Augusto. Tradotte in volgare da Francesco Sansouino. Con l’ispositione fedelmente cauata da gli scrittori in questa materia, e con i sommarij posti a ciascun titolo, i quali contengono la materia del testo. Venice: Bartolomeo Cesano, 1552.

4to, contemporary paperboards, ff. [4], 173 [i.e. 175], [1]. It lacks the leaves C2 and C3.

Rare first edition in Italian language of Justinian’s Institutions, the foundation of Roman Law, in the polite translation of Francesco Sansovino.

References: Cnce, Censimento, 13497.

AN UNCOMMON VENETIAN EDITION OF THE JUSTINIAN'S CODES

[1.]: Iustinianus Augustus - Accursius - Persius. Digestum vetus seu Pandectarum iuris ciuilis tomus primus [...] Commentarijs Accursii, et multorum insuper aliorum iurisconsultorum tam veterum, quam neotericorum, praecipue autem Antonii Persii scholijs, atque obseruationibus illustratus. Editio postrema. Venetiis: [Francesco De Franceschi, Gaspare Bindoni il vecchio, eredi di Niccolò Bevilacqua, Damiano Zenaro], 1575 (Venetiis: 1574).
[together with:]
[2.]: Iustinianus Augustus - Accursius - Leconte. Codicis dn. Iustiniani sacratissimi principis pp. Augusti repetitae praelectionis libri XII. Accursii commentarijs, & multorum veterum ac recentiorum iurisprudentium annotationibus tam ad textum, quam ad glossas, recens illustrati , mendisque quam plurimis passim repurgati: additis & restitutis quibusdam Graecis constitutionibus, [...] Accesserunt his Fasti regij et consulares vsque ad Iustiniani mortem [...] Antonio Contio auctore. Editio postrema. Venetiis: [Francesco De Franceschi, Gaspare Bindoni il vecchio, eredi di Niccolò Bevilacqua, Damiano Zenaro], 1574.

[1.]: 4to (248x174 mm), contemporary full vellum, three raised bands at spine, calligraphic title at bottom edge; pp. [172], 1493 [i.e. 1509], [1] leaf of folded table. Title-page and text in red and black types. A printers' device at title page, with the symbols (Pace, Occhio, Pazienza, Salamandra) and the initials (FS, GB, NB, DZ) of the printers (F. De Franceschi, G.Bindoni il vecchio, eredi di N. Bevilacqua e D. Zenaro). Xylographic initials and ornaments. Folded table between p. 80 and 81 with an engraving representing the tree of jurisditions (Arbor Iurisdictionum).

[2.]: 4to (248x170 mm), contemporary full vellum, three raised bands at spine, calligraphic title at bottom edge; [36] l., 2640 col., [28] leaves. Title-page and text in red and black types. A printers' device at title page, with the symbols (Pace, Occhio, Pazienza, Salamandra) and the initials (FS, GB, NB, DZ) of the printers (F. De Franceschi, G.Bindoni il vecchio, eredi di N. Bevilacqua e D. Zenaro). Xylographic initials and ornaments.

Accursius (in Italian Accursio, Accorso or also Accorso di Bagnolo; c. 1182-1263) was a Roman jurist. He is notable for his organization of the glosses, the medieval comments on Justinian's codification of Roman law, the Corpus Juris Civilis. He was not proficient in the classics, but he was called "the Idol of the Jurisconsults".

Antonio Persio (1542-1597) was an Italian philosopher, theologian and jurist.

Antoine Leconte (Antonio Conti)(1517-1586) was a French jurist, famous for his attacks on Calvin.

Iustinianus Augustus (Justinian I, 482-565), sometimes known as Justinian the Great, was a Byzantine (East Roman) emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the historical Roman Empire.

NICE POCKET EDITION OF JUSTINIAN'S INSTITUTIONS

[Sources of Western Law, Institutions] Justinianus. Institutiones iuris ciuilis d. Iustiniani Imper. Accuratius quam unquam antea recognitae, atque emendatae. Cum omnibus Siluestri Aldobrandini, & aliorum clarissimorum iurisconsultorum annotationibus hactenus impressis. Quibus hac nouissima omnium editione accesserunt praeclarae Francisci Cornelli Brixiani annotationes, nunc primum editae, [...] Praeterea XII tab. quae extant fragmenta: varietas lectionum: index rerum, & verborum memorabilium, aptissime dispositus. Venice: Giunti, 1581.

A thick volume in 8vo, contemporary limp vellum, ff. [50], 391, [1].

Entirely printed in black and red and illustrated with a woodcut representing the Justice (the Emperor Justinian among his counsellors).

Nice pocket size Giunti edition in two colors of Justinian’s Institutions, with the commentary of the Florentine lawyer Silvestro Aldobrandini (1499-1558), father of Ippolito, the future Pope Clemens VIII and the Brixia jurist Francesco Cornello (sec. XV) that was teacher of the young Ippolito Aldobrandini.

References: Cnce, Censimento, 13484. OCLC, 797779912.

A CORNERSTONE OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW

Gratianus. Decretum Gratiani emendatum et notationibus illustratum una cum glossis, Gregorii XIII Pont. Max iussu editum.
(Together with:)
Liber sextus decretalium D. Bonifacii Papae VIII suae integritati una cum Clementinis & Extravagantibus, earumque glossis restitutus…
(Together with:)
Decretales D. Gregorii Papae IX suae integratati unà cum glossis restitutae, cum Gregorii XIII Pont. Max. & aliorum Principum. Romae, in Aedibus Populi Romani, 1584.

3 thick volumes in 4to (240x180 mm), 18th century half vellum, two labels with gilt-lettered titles at three raised bands spine, pp. [88], 1904, [28], two folding xylographic plates with genealogical trees; pp. [8], 592, [2], 243, [6], 262, [42], woodcut title-page at Constitutiones Clementinas, two other folding xylographic plates with genealogical trees; pp. [56], 1388, a xylographic plate representing the enthroned pope surrounded by the Fathers of the Church.
Woodcut devices at title-pages, woodcut head-letters.
Text in Latin on two columns, surrounded by the commentary and notes.

A good Roman edition of this cornerston of Medieval Canon Law, printed by the heirs of Aldus Manutius in their Roman Press.

Around 1140 in Bologna, the Camaldolese monk and canon law jurist Francis (or John) Gratian collected —under the significant title of Concordia discordantium canonum (afterwards better known as Decretum magistri Gratiani)—, papal decrees, councils’ canons, abstracts from the Church Fathers, from Roman law’s sources written before Justinianus, from the Lex romana Visigothorum and the Capitolari Carolingi. This compilation of documents was the first and main source of Canon law until the promulgation of the Codex iuris canonici, in 1917.

Provenance: Some not identified contemporary annotations.

References: OCLC 634747100.

THE FOUNDING WORK OF WESTERN LAW WITH GODEFROY'S COMMENTARY

[Sources of Western Law] Justinianus. Corpus ivris civilis, in IIII. partes distinctum. Qvarvm prima continentvr indices omnium iuris titulorum. Institutionum libri IIII. Digestorum seu Pandectarum libri L. Quae reliquis partib. includantur, quinta docebit pagina. His accesserunt notae repetitae tertiae quartaéque praelectionis Dionysio Gothofredo ic. authore: quibus, inter caetera, variae lectiones, leges similes, contrariae, abrogatae; verborum, legúmque difficilium interpretationes, selectae repetitiones, argumentata, compendia, atque epitomata, anni singulis. Codicis legibus additi, continentur. His additae sunt Institutionum, Nouellarum Iustiniani, Leonis & Feudorum epitomae ad ordinem Edicti perpetui compositae: eodem authore. Geneve, Vignon, 1619.

2 thick volumes in 4to, contemporary stiff vellum (spines worn), ff. [32], pp. 16, 17-126 columns. 2018 columns, ff. [8], 972 columns, ff. [4], 568 columns.

The Lyon edition (with Godefroy's Commentar) of the founding work of the Western Law.

References: ICCU, 019730 (2 copies). OCLC, 17403547 (4 copies in USA).

AN EXTENSIVE TREATISE ON ROMAN LAW ACCORDING TO JUSTINIAN'S CODES

Heinecke, Johann Gottlieb. Jo. Gottlieb. Heineccii [...] Antiquitatum Romanarum jurisprudentiam illustrantium Syntagma secundum ordinem Institutionum Justiniani digestum, in quo multa juris Romani atque auctorum veterum loca explicantur, atque illustrantur. Pars prima [-secunda]. Venetiis: ex Typographia Balleoniana, 1764.

12mo (152x100; half leather binding, with marbled paper at boards, gilt title at spine; 2 vols.; pp. XXIV, 562, [2]; 455, [1], [1] leaf of folded table; xylographic device at title-page (a crowned double-headed eagle); xylographic initials and ornaments.

Johann Gottlieb Heineccius (Heinecke) (September 11, 1681 – August 31, 1741) was a German jurist from Eisenberg, Thuringia. His chief works were: Antiquitatum Romanarum jurisprudentiam illustrantium syntagma (1718); Historia juris civilis Romani ac Germanici (1733); Elementa juris Germanici (1735); Elementa juris naturae et gentium (1737; Eng. trans. by Turnbull, 2 vols, London, 1763).

Provenance: Private library of a Verona noble family, whose roots are in Mantua and in which there were distinguished lawyers and jurists.

References: IT\ICCU\MILE\007219. OCLC, 800918156, 807213154 (two copies in Spain) and 67009204 (one copy in USA, one copy in France; one copy in the Netherlands and one copy in South Africa).

VERY SCARCE POCKET EDITION OF THE JUSTINIAN'S CODES

NO COPY OUT OF ITALY

Iustinianus Augustus. Imperatoris Iustiniani Institutionum libri 4. Adiecti sunt ex digestis tituli de verborum significatione et de regulis iuris. Et in hac quoque impressione Institutionum Epitome Dionysij Gothofredi I.C. Cum indice ad eosdem & facili, & breui. Venetiis: apud Nicolaum Pezzana, 1672.

24mo (106x52 mm), half leather binding, marbled paper at boards, gilt title on a red leather label at spine, marbled edges; pp. 406, [26]. Title-page in black types in a double rulers frame, with an engraved ornamental lily.

Iustinianus Augustus (Justinian I, 482-565), sometimes known as Justinian the Great, was a Byzantine (East Roman) emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the historical Roman Empire.
Justinian achieved lasting fame through his judicial reforms, particularly through the complete revision of all Roman law, something that had not previously been attempted. The total of Justinian's legislature is known today as the Corpus juris civilis. It consists of the Codex Iustinianus, the Digesta or Pandectae, the Institutiones, and the Novellae.
In particular, the Institutiones is a textbook explaining the principles of law.

Denis Godefroi (Dionysius Gothofredus, 1549-1622) French jurist and law professor.

Provenance: Private library of a Verona noble family, whose roots are in Mantua and in which there were distinguished lawyers and jurists.
Handwritten ownership inscription at title page (Joseph Maria Resinus).

References: IT\ICCU\RMSE\082323 (2 copies). OCLC, 797327656. No copies of this edition out of Italy.
Title-page a bit worn and soiled (spots and lack of paper at bottom and top corners). Overall, a good copy.

AMUSING PORTABLE EDITION OF JUSTINIAN'S INSTITUTIONS
ONLY ONE COPY IN USA

[Source of Western Law, Handbook] Justinianus. Imperatoris Justiniani institutionum libri quatuor. Adjecti sunt ex Digestis Tituli de verborum significatione, & de Regulis Juris [...] Patavii, Typis Seminarii, Apud Ioannem Manfrè, 1754.

12mo (145x77 mm), red paperboard, sepia ink handwritten titles on red paper label, pp. 262 [missing last blank]. Xylographic head-letters and decorations at preliminary leaves.

Uncommon edition of Justinian’s Institutiones in pocket size, to be used by professor, students and lawyers.

In the same period in which it had started the Law reorganization in the Pandectae, Justinian asked the jurists Trebonianus, Theophilus e Dorotheus to create a manual that summarized the items of the Roman Law to be used by the students of the Empire. The Institutiones remained, along the centuries, a cornerstone of the matter because of the clarity and completeness, and for that reasons were utilized by the most important scholars as a skeleton to build their own commentary on it.

The text is followed by two indexes, quoting the specific terms used and the paragraphs where to find the definitions of the basic rules or Roman law.

References: IT\ICCU\TO0E\045911 (only four copies in Italian public libraries). OCLC 799215709 locates only 1 copie in USA (Yale).

SCARCE EDITION OF JUSTINIAN'S DIGEST FOR BELGIAN UNIVERSITIES

Justinian. Recitationes in quinquaginta libros Digestorum; ex lectionibus ... variorum professorum depromptae et usibus Belgii accommodatæ, cum relegatione ad recitationes Heinecci, in titulis Digestorum Institutionibus analogis. Neapoli, ex typographia Anchorae, 1842.

Large 8vo, contemporary half vellum with label and gilt title on spine, pp. 723.

Scarce Neapolitan edition of Justinian's Digest for the use of Belgium universities.

References: OCLC, 504618972 (the British Library copy).

THE RENOWNED LAURENT'S «PRINCIPES DE DROIT CIVIL», A FUNDAMENTAL CORNERSTONE OF FRENCH CIVIL LAW

Laurent, François. Principes de droit civil. Bruxelles: E. Bruylant; Paris: A. Chevalier-Marescq, 1887.

33 volumes in large 8vo, contemporary half blue morocco on marbled paper. Each volume contains approximately 500-600 pages.

Fourth edition of the celebrated Laurent's «Principles of Civil Law», first published between 1869 and 1878: the work was so successful that, already in 1879, the French Minister of Justice commissioned the author to prepare a report with a proposal for a revision of the French Civil Code.

François Laurent (1810-1887), was a French jurist, professor at Gand.
He was inspired by liberal and anticlerical ideas, that showed both in behavior and in his writing, gaining enemies and disagreements: but the integrity of his conduct meant that he kept the chair until his death.

References: OCLC 61645274.

TWO YEARBOOKS FOR THE LOMBARD-VENETIAN KINGDOM:
[1.]: IMPERIAL ROYAL ALMANAC FOR THE PROVINCES OF THE LOMBARD-VENETIAN KINGDOM FOR THE YEAR 1839
[2.]: TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE PROVINCES OF THE VENETO REGION IN THE LOMBARD-VENETIAN KINGDOM IN THE YEAR 1853

[1.]: Almanacco imperiale reale per le provincie del Regno Lombardo-Veneto soggette al governo di Milano per l'anno 1839. Milano: dall'I. R. Stamperia, [1839].
[together with:]
[2.]: Compartimento territoriale delle provincie venete, attivato col primo luglio 1853. Allegato al n. 80 puntata 6, parte 1 del Bollettino delle leggi e degli atti ufficiali per le provincie venete del 1853. Venezia: dall'I.R. priv. stab. naz. di G. Antonelli, 1853

[1.]: 8vo (250x164 mm), editorial paper binding; pp. XXXII, 612; emblem with a double-headed eagle at title-pages.
[2.]: 8vo (247x156 mm), marbled paper board binding, with handwritten title on a paper label at front board; pp. 339; vignette at title-page with the crowned twice-headed eagle of the Lombard-Venetian Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia (1815-1866) (Italian: Regno Lombardo-Veneto, German: Königreich Lombardo–Venetien), commonly called the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom, was a constituent land (crown land) of the Austrian Empire. It was created in 1815 by resolution of the Congress of Vienna in recognition of the Austrian House of Habsburg-Lorraine's rights to Lombardy and the former Republic of Venice after the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, proclaimed in 1805, had collapsed.
Administratively the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia comprised two independent governments (Gubernien) in its two parts (Lombardy and Venetia), which officially were declared separate crown lands in 1851. Lombardy was annexed to Sardinia in 1859 and the kingdom ceased to exist when the rest of its territory was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.
The Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia was first ruled by Emperor Francis I from 1815 to his death in 1835. His son Ferdinand I ruled from 1835 to 1848. In Milan on 6 September 1838 he became the last king to be crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy. The crown was subsequently brought to Vienna after the loss of Lombardy in 1859, but was restored to Italy after the loss of Venetia in 1866.

Provenance: Private library of a Verona noble family, whose roots are in Mantua and in which there were distinguished lawyers and jurists.

References:
[1.]: ICCU registers a collection of 22 volumes of this Almanacco published one each year from 1814 to 1841 (IT\ICCU\TO0\0163498). OCLC, 802242423 (electronic copy).
[2.]: IT\ICCU\LO1\0573874 (10 copies). OCLC, 797737273.