1572 Corpus Juris Canonici. Three works . Bonifactio VIII, Clement V, Extravagantes John XXII. Woodcuts.

A handsome binding holding three primary works partially forming the body of canon law (Corpus Jurus Canonicas), with nice typology, a repeating title-page image of the pope at the alter, a woodcut of Boniface VIII on the papal throne, and three "arboris" illustrations:

1. Sextus Decretalium liber a Bonifacio Octavo - Boniface VIII's decretals, first published in 1465, are papal letters containing decisions of ecclesiastical law regarding issues such as ordination and privileges of priests, election of bishops, celebration of the sacraments, and veneration of relics. Commentary is by the celebrated canonist, Giovanni d'Andrea.

2. Constitutiones Clementis - This collection of laws, enacted by Pope Clement V at the Council of Vienne (1311-1312) , and promulgated in 1317 by Pope John XXII, govern matters of faith and discipline for members of the Catholic Church

3. Extravagantes - The Extravagantes are the collections of decretals that were not included in any of the three official collections of decretals (including the Liber Sextus); they should be found in all complete editions of the Corpus Juris Canonici. When John XXII (1316-1334) published the decretals known as the Clementines, there already existed some pontifical documents, obligatory upon the whole Church but not included in the Corpus Juris; hence these decretals were called Extravagantes. In 1325 Zenselinus de Cassanis added a gloss to twenty constitutions of Pope John XXII, and named this collection Viginti Extravagantes pap Joannis XXII. The others were known as "Extravagantes communes".


Provenance -

The title page has a number of inscriptions, two of which read "Soci Sancti" and "Fran.ni.", indicating the book was in the possession of the Franciscan society.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 24.5 x 18.5 x 6 cm. Vellum binding with three raised bands to the spine; title impressed on black morocco in one compartment. Also, faded old manuscript inscriptions on spine. Three works in one. Each repeats the the title-page illustration of Pious V praying at the alter.

Title-pages printed in red and black; text in black, with section titles, running titles, small capitals, and paragraph numbers in red; text in two columns in center of page, printed in roman type, surrounded by commentary in two columns in smaller roman type; shoulder notes in smallest roman type; emendations to text in italic type.

"Vita Bonifacii octavi, conditoris huius sexti ex Platina bergomẽsi ad uerbum": p. 461-463.

Woodcuts: large title vignette of Pius V praying at the altar; text illustrated with large woodcut of Boniface VIII seated on papal throne, surrounded by his cardinals (p. [36]), receiving a copy of the book, possibly from glossist Giovanni d'Andrea; and two woodcut diagrams "Arbor affinitatis" and "Arbor consanguinitatis" on two leaves bound between p. 328 and 329; small ornamental initials. In Clementis, on p. [2] of last sequence, illustration: "Arbor seu figura declaratiua titul. De iure patro"

Pages - xxxvi, 463, (1), xvi, 191, (1), xvi, 262, blank leaf.

Collation - 2a-2b⁸ 2c² a-v⁸ x⁸ (plus two plates of arboris), y-z⁸ A-F⁸ 2A⁸ 2a-2l⁸ 2m⁸ (2m8+plate) 3a⁸ 2A-2Q⁸ 2R⁴ (2R4 blank)


Condition -

See pictures. Well-worn older binding with rubs, corner and edge wear, etc.. Corners of boards bumped. Front joint/hinge cracked; board held by bands. Rear joint cracked, hinge holding. Manuscript titling on spine largely faded. Some rubbing at bands exposing raised bands. Ink name on free front endpaper recto. Older names on endpaper as well. Writing on title page. Some thumbing, dog-eared pages, occasional fox spots, etc. throughout. 3" tear on aa2 (page following title page). Two ink blots along fore-edge which bled into the margin. Occasional annotations, strikethroughs and underlining throughout; mostly strikethroughs, probably keeping it inline with the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, which would denounce specific commentary/passages as well as books. Some toning. Occasional moisture mark intrusion at margins.