1591 Corpus Juris Canonici (Body of Canon Law). Gratian, Gregory IX, Bonifacii VIII, etc.. Jester marginalia.

A wonderful patina of antiquity graces this heavy tome of containing the 16th century Body of Cannon Judgement (Corpus Juris Canonica). It also contains some pleasing reminders of its use through history.

Printed as one volume (consecutive signatures) but with five parts having separate pagination (index not paginated, and at end). Contains: 1. Decretum Gratiani Decretals, 2. Decretales D. Gregory Papae IX, 3. Liber Sextus Decretalium D. Bonifacii Papae VIII, 4. Institutiones Juris Canonici, 5. Index.

The title page has a latinized name in a pleasing old hand. Deep within the book, on the page signed MM8, you'll find a delightful marginal drawing of a jester, with an annotation below in an old hand.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 24 x 16 x 7 cm. Parchment binding with Yapp edges. Title on spine in ink, with four raised bands. Blue stained edges (faded). Four parts, with title pages, and an index at rear (no title page).

Signatures - alpha-gamma8, delta 10, A4, Z8, Rr8, Ss2, ):(10, z8, ZZ6, AA5 (AA6 not called for), BB6, CC-OO8, PP6, ):(4, GGg8, HHh6.

Condition -

See pictures. Vintage patina, with the pleasing look of history. Some rubbing, marks, etc. to binding. Two cracks in the Yapp fore-edges, and the fore-edge ties are expired leaving holes. 1 cm hole along rear joint. Some chipping at bottom of spine, but endbands both in place. Ex-libris plate removed from pastedown; flyleaf excised.

Some ownership inscriptions on title pages and a 19th century gift inscription on verso of title page ghosting through. Toning throughout, with the occasional fox spot. Very occasional ink spot, underline or note, in an old hand. Ink spot fore-edge margin of 566, no text affected. Occasional page edge chip, dog eared corner, etc.. 3 cm tear at part two, 322. Showing some signs of its 400+ years, but functioning well as a book with a pleasing look of antiquity.