Medieval Notary Manuscripts & Law Books

FIRST EDITION OF CAMERARIO'S TREATISE ON THE RULES OF FASTING, PRAYER AND CHARITY

Camerario, Bartolomeo.Bartholomaei Camerarii Beneventani, De Ieivnio, Oratione, Et Eleemosyna, Dialogi Qvatvor.Lvtetiae (Paris): Vascosan, 1556.

4to, later stiff vellum, ff. 164.
Dedicated to Diane de Poitiers, Duchess of Valentinois.

First edition of an uncommon treatise dedicated to the discipline of fasting, prayer and charity.

Bartolomeo Camerario (Benevento, 1497–Roma, 1564) was an Italian jurist.He taught civil and feudal law at University of Naples between 1524 and 1526; in 1529 was appointed President of the Camera Sommaria and then as Conservator of Real Patrimonio, in order to administrate the Italian finances.In 1548 was suspended from his office and convicted for various crimes: he fled to France , where he devoted himself to writing some theological-juridical works and only in 1556 he returned to Rome.

Provenance: 17th century inscription P. Francesco da Lucca at title-page.

References: IT\ICCU\BVEE\003737. OCLC 80032924 locates 3 copies in US libraries (Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC; University of Chicago Library and Washington State University, Holland and Terrell Libraries).

COELLI'S COMMENTARY ON CLEMENT'S TENTH BULL «DE BONO REGIMINE»
REGARDING THE ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE COMMUNES OF THE PAPAL STATES

APPARENTLY NO COPY IN USA OF THIS EDITION

[Papal bulls, Geneve] Coelli, Giacomo. Jacobi Cohellii J.U.D. Urbevetani [...] Commentaria in Bullam X. Clementis papae VIII. De bono regimine rerum ad dictas universitates spectantium multiplici doctrina, & eruditione repleta, ac diu exoptata, Caroli Cartharij [...] studio ab inte ritu vindicata. Nec non Summorum pontificum bullae, ut & resolutiones & decreta dictarum universitatum interesse spectantia [...]. Coloniæ Allobrogum (Geneve): sumptibus J.A. Cramer & P. Perachon, 1699.
[bound with:]
Coelli, Giacomo (editor and translator). Bolle di sommi pontefici e risolutioni e decreti concernenti l'interesse delle communità dello stato ecclesiastico, fatte volgare, e raccolte da Giacomo Cohelli, orvietano, agente generale delle medesime communità & a benefitio di esse. Coloniæ (Geneve): sumptibus J.A. Cramer & P. Perachon, 1699.

2 parts bound in a volume in folio (cm 36 x 23); contemporary stiff vellum with five raised bands at spine (light traces of use at the binding, neat repairs at spine and front board), handwritten title at spine; pp. (16), 372; (4), 127, (1, blank). Two column text in Latin and Italian.
Half title: Jacobi Cohellii J.U.D. Commentaria in bullam X. Clementis papae VIII. De bono regimine et summorum pontificum bullae. Resolutiones et decreta. First title-page in black and red types, with a wide device representing the crowned salamander resurging by the flames; second part title-page in black types, with the same woodcut device as at the first part. Engraved head and -tail pieces, engraved headletters.

Rare commentary on the Papal bull regarding the set up of the congregation De bono regimine (1592) to regulate and control the "Buon Regime", i. e. the economic life of the local communities of the State.

The commentary was written by Giacomo Coelli, with contributes given by Carlo Cartari.
The work is bound together with a collection of Papal bulls and decrees, translated in Italian by the Coelli himself.

Giacomo Coelli, born in Orvieto, was an Italian jurist: he also acted as a general manager for the Vatican.
Carlo Cartari (Cartharius, Carolus: Bologna, 1614 - Roma, 1697), was an Italian lawyer and a librarian, and also the prefect of the Papal secret archives located in St. Angel Castle.

References: Apparently no copy in USA. OCLC 22551422, locates one copy of another edition printed in Lyon at Columbia University Law School, Diamond Law Library. ICCU\UM1E\001172.

FIRST EDITION OF THE CANONS OF THE COUNCIL OF COLOGNE

Gropper, Johann (editor).Canones Concilii Prouincialis Coloniensis: sub Reuerendiss. in Christo patre ac d[omi]no D. Hermanno S. Colonien[sis] Ecclesiae archiepiscopo ... celebrati, anno 1536: quibus adiectum est Encheridion [sic] Christianae institutionis. [Cologne]: Impress. Colo., anno XXXVIII [i.e. 1538]. [Colophon:] Ex aedibus Quentelianis, Anno domini, M.D. XXXVIII.

Folio, contemporary calf with blind-tooled decorations on both covers (spine restored), traces of brass clasps, pp. [20], ff. CCCXIII [i.e. 315], pp. [14].
A fine woodcut illustration (Crucified Jesus) on verso of leaf [XLVII bis] (sig. K2).

First edition of the Canons of the Council of Cologne (Köln, in German language) held in 1536 in which the archbishop Gropper took position against the Reform.

The work also contains the Institutio compendiaria doctrinae Christianae, in concilio provinciali pollicita by Johannes Gropper at leaves [XLVIIbis]-CCCXIII, followed by [13] pages of Tabula Enchiridii (index).

Johann Gropper (1503, Soest–1559, Rome) was a Roman Catholic church politician of the Reformation period.
After being made keeper of the seal of the archbishopric of Cologne, he was appointed scholasticus of St. Gerson in 1527. Gropper was an adherent of Erasmus, and aided the reform efforts of Hermann von Wied, archbishop of Cologne. This led him, after having completed his legal studies at Cologne in 1525, to devote himself to theological study. He edited the Landrecht of Cologne, and also the canons of the provincial council at Cologne held in 1536 (both published in 1538, together with a detailed manual of Christian doctrine which he had composed).
In both of these Gropper's Erasmian tendency showed itself; in both he took pains to make the Bible and the Church Fathers his point of departure. In many matters, especially in the doctrine of justification, he approximated Protestant views, but he did not approve of the doctrine of the Reformers concerning the concept and the organization of the Church. He championed the seven sacraments and the veneration of images and relics. He rejected the doctrine of the priesthood of believers, he defended the hierarchical order of the Middle Ages and the primacy of the pope, though on these very points his differences with the representatives of the papal system were apparent. Protestant and Jesuit writers alike censured the book.

References: OCLC 37245572.

SCARCE AND REMARKABLE EDITION OF GONZALEZ'S COMMENTARY ON DECRETALS

GONZÁLEZ TÉLLEZ, MANUEL. Commentaria perpetua in singulos textus quinque librorum decretalium Gregorii IX. Tomus primus [-quintus] [...] cum notis uberioribus ab historia, & chorographia, atque additionibus suis locis restitutis [...]. Maceratae; prostant Venetiis, apud haeredes Balleonios, 1766 [Venice: Baglioni, 1766].

5 parts bound in 4 volumes in folio (401x240 mm), half calf on marbled paper, green label with gilt titles and decorations at spine, untrimmed edges, pp. [16], 667, [1] at first volume, pp. [8], 567, [1] at the second, pp. [8], 615, [1] at the third, pp. [8], 212, CXII [actually, XCII] [8], 407, [1, blank] at last volume. Red and black title-page at first volume, woodcut friezes and initials.

REMARKABLE EDITION PRINTED IN MACERATA OF GONZÁLEZ TÉLLEZ’ COMMENTARY TO POPE GREGORY IX DECRETALS, ENHANCED BY HISTORICAL GLOSSES THAT DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY WERE PRODUCED.

The Nova Compilatio Decretalium (1234), strongly wanted by Gregory IX, gathered for the first time after magister Gratianus’ work, the five collections of decretals issued during the papacies preceding his own.

POPE GREGORY IX (UGOLINO DI ANAGNI, ca. 1170-1241) was a strict, debatable pope. Acute connoisseur of the right, which he studied at the university of Bologna, he pleaded with pope Honofrius III for the approval of the Franciscan and Dominican rules. After becoming pope, he took part in the political diatribe that opposed the papacy to Frederich II’s empire, event that included two excommunications and a crusade organized together. During his papacy, Gregorio IX issued the first courts of the Inquisition, created the Franciscan breviary, placed the Talmud on the Index and promoted the canonization of St. Frances of Assisi and St. Antony of Padua.

MANUEL GONZÁLEZ TÉLLEZ (d. 1673, ca.) was a Spanish canonist and scholar from Salamanca. He was also a judge in the most important tribunals of the Spain (Granada and Valladolid) and member of the council of Castilla. Besides the Commentaria perpetua, published for the first time in Lyon (1673) and granting him academic popularity, González Téllez wrote the Conciliuni Illiberitanum cum discursibus apologeticis Ferdinandi de Mendoza olim editum, adiunctis nunc diversorum notis suisque uberioribus (Lyon, 1665).

References: ICCU, IT\ICCU\VEAE\006129 (just two copies, one at the Biblioteca Marciana of Venice and one at the Biblioteca Capitolare del Duomo of Treviso). Palau y Dulcet, VI, p. 306 (quoting the second edition). OCLC, 22550729.

THE CEREMONIAL BOOK FOR THE ELECTION OF THE POPE

Gregorius XV. Caeremoniale continens ritus electionis Romani Pontificis. Gregorii Papae XV. iussu editum. Cui præfiguntur constitutiones pontificiæ, & conciliorum decreta ad eam rem pertinentia. Romae, Ex Typographia Camerae Apostolicae, 1622.

4to, later marbled paperboards, pp. 122, (8). Colophon with device of Camera Apostolica, on recto of last leaf. Title page in black and red; title vignette (papal arms); woodcut initials and tailpieces

Scarce edition of this Caeremoniale, the fundamental ceremonial book wanted by Pope Gregory XV containing the Constitutions and the Rules for the election of the Pope of the Catholic Church (see also lot 83). The work also contains the first known reproductions of the ballots used by cardinals for the election.

References: OCLC 43198768 records three copies in USA: Princeton, Hamilton College and Woodstock Theological Center.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PONTIFICAL LAW AND THE CAESARS' LAW, WITH THE EXPLANATION OF LAW CASES APPLICABLE TO CLERGY, BISHOPS, EMPERORS, KINGS AND OTHERS

Alvarez Guerrero, Alfonso. Iuris pontificii cæsareique speculum. Vbi præter luculentam i.v. locorum explicationem, ea etiam, quibus sacri Sum. Rom. Pontifices, Imperatores, Reges, & sanctiss. Episcopi, pie, ac religiose munia obire possint, splendide, accurateque ita enodantur, vt nihil accommodatius, nihilque vtilius iurisprudentia studiosis adferri possit. [...] Auctore clariss. ac præstan. I.V.D.D. Alphonso Aluarez Guerrero, [...]. Neapoli: apud Horatium Saluianum, 1571.

Folio, 305x208 mm; contemporary full vellum binding, with calligraphic title at a flat spine; pp. [56], DLXCVI [=596, with many errors in page numbering; here missing the last 2 pp.]; title page in black types, with engraved coat of arms of the dedicatee (King Philip II of Spain). Xil. head-letters (the first one is very large, 55x55 mm, and preciously decorated) ; printer woodcut at colophon [here missing]. Text in Latin.

Alonso Álvarez Guerrero (c. 1502- 1576), Spanish jurist, theologian and poet of the Renaissance; he was also Bishop of Monopoli (Bari) and royal adviser of King Philip II in Naples.

Philip II (Spanish: Felipe II «el Prudente»; 1527-1598) was King of Spain from 1556 and of Portugal from 1581 (as Philip I, Felipe I). From 1554 he was King of Naples and Sicily as well as Duke of Milan.

Provenance: Handwritten ownership inscriptions (not identified and deleted) at title page. Text underlines and many handwritten marginal annotations.

References: IT\ICCU\RMLE\001844 and IT\ICCU\BVEE\000508. CNCE 22137. OCLC, 804489192.

UNCOMMON POCKET EDITION OF LANCELLOTTI'S CANON LAW INSTITUTIONS

Lancellotti, Giovanni Paolo - Doujat, Jean. Institutiones juris canonici, quibus jus pontificium singulari methodo comprehenditur: a Joanne Paulo Lancelotto ... Adjecta sunt hac editione Joannis Doujatii novæ atque uberes notæ, & in gratiam cupidæ canonum juventutis appendix, qua quæ contineantur, indicatur in calce tomi secundi. Tomus primus (-secundus). Venetiis (Venice): ex Typographia Balleoniana, 1740.

12mo (158x92 mm), 2 vol., contemporary parchment binding, handwritten title at flat spine (stark water stain at the lower corner of both boards of the first vol.), pp. 588; 489, [3]; text in Latin; title-pages in b/w characters; woodcut printer devices at title-pages; xylographic head-letters and head-pieces.

A scarce Baglioni's edition of this important text on canon law by Lancellotti, many times re-printed from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. The Institutiones Iuris Canonici were born, in the original idea, as an official and complete synthesis of all the laws, imitating the Justinian’s Institutiones, from which it was taken the division in 4 books. Despite it never received the formalization from the Pope, the work quickly acquired fame and authority.

Giovan Paolo Lancellotti (1522-1590) was an important personality in the city of Perugia. Teacher of Civil and Canon law he also wrote the Institutionum iuris canonici commentarium (1560), the De comparationeiuris pontificii et caesarei (1574), the Regularum ex universo pontificio iure libri III (1587) and some minor teological works. He also wrote poems and was among the founders of the Academy of Music Unison and member of the literary Academy of Foolish (Accademia letteraria degli Insensati).

Jean Doujat (Ioannes Doviatius o Johannes Duiatius, ca. 1609-1688), lawyer at the Parliament of Toulouse and then to the Parliament of Paris; professor of canon law at the College of France and historian of Louis XIV.

References: IT\ICCU\RAVE\023042 (7 copies, but some of them are not complete). OCLC, 797891557 e 875159698 (4 copies in Italia), 807898293 (1 copy n Spain at the Universitat de Barcelona, CRAI, Barcelona) e 54772562 (1 copy in USA at the University of St Thomas, Saint Paul, MN).

IMPORTANT JURIDICAL FORMULARY FOR CANON COURTS AND TRIBUNALS

Monacelli, Francesco. Formularium legale practicum fori ecclesiastici […]: ab ipsomet authore appendice plurium constitutionum apostolicarum, […] illustrata / authore Francisco Monacelli ciue eugubino […]. Pars prima secunda editio. Romae (Rome): typis Aloysij, & Francisci fratrum de Comitibus impressorum reuerendae Camerae apostolicae, 1713.

Folio (330x230 mm), contemporary full vellum, with five raised bands spine (light traces of use and occasional stains, little repairs), handwritten title at spine; pp. [50], 376. Text in Latin, printed in two columns.
Title-page in red and black types; half-title: Formularium legale practicum fori ecclesiastici. Engraved head and -tail pieces, engraved headletters.

Important juridical formulary for Canon Courts and Tribunals, a practical book for jurists, containing both the laws and the casistics.

The first and only volume of the second edition (dated 1713).
It deals in depth with the Canon law, giving not only the corpus of reference, but also the jurisprudence relative to specific cases, procedural rules, decisions taken by the Roman Sacred Rota and by the Sacred Congregations.

The Author, Francesco Monacelli (died in 1714), was a priest, apostolic protonotary at Gubbio, general vicar of Venosa's and Iesi's churches; he was expert in Canon law, and celebrated for this formulary.

References: IT\ICCU\RLZE\032574 (2 copies).

MONACELLI'S FORMULARY FOR CANON COURTS AND CIVIL TRIBUNALS

Monacelli, Francesco; Monacelli, Giovanni Battista. Francisci Monacelli ... Formularium legale practicum fori ecclesiastici in quo formulae declaratoriae censurarum quibus frequenter in dicto foro judices utuntur, cum adnotationibus legalibus practicis Sacrarum Congregationum responsis saepè roboratis ac illustratis continentur ... Pars tertia : in qua praeter formulas declaratorias censurarum, ponuntur aliae formulae, tum citationum ac monitionum pro validitate precessuum requisitarum, tum Decretorum, aliorumve actuum ad opportunitatem, & ornatum materiae incidentium ; acceditque in calce Appendix miscellanea, plura ad gubernium ecclesiasticum maximè pertinentia, complectens.. Venetiis: ex Typographia Balleoniana, 1732.

Four volumes in 4to, contemporary stiff vellum with red labels and gilt-lettered titles at spine.
Red and black title-page, xylographic head-letters and decorations.

Important legal formulary for the Canon Courts and Tribunals, thus a practical Canon Law manual usable by jurists.

The work deals with the Canon Law, giving not only the Corpus but also real cases description, precepts of Due Process Clause, Decisiones by the Roman Rota and by the Roman Curia Congregations.

The fourth posthumous volume, edited by Giovanni Battista Monacelli, Francesco’s nephew, completes the collection with further analysis of real case discussed at the Congregations adding the legal comments for each case.

Francesco Monacelli (18-19th century), was a prelate, expert in Canon Law, and became famous with the publication of the Formulario . Apostolic protonotary in Gubbio, he was General Vicar in Venosa and Iesi.

Provenance: handwritten note at title page lower margin f A. B. an: 1732 written in sepia ink.

References: OCLC 22557279.

VERY RARE PIGNATELLI'S REPERTORY ON CANON LAW

Pignatelli, Jacopo. Iacobi Pignatelli Consultationum Canonicarum Pro publico usu quotidiano Tomus Secundus ac Tertius [...] In quibus Praecipuae Controversiae De ijs, quae ad Sanctorum Canonizationem, ac sacros Ritus, Ad S. Concilium Tridentinum, Ad Episcopos & Regulares, Ad Immunitatem, Libertatem, ac Iurisdictionem ecclesiasticam potissimum spectant [...]. Romae, Typis Iosephi Corvi, 1675.

2 tomes (out of 10) bound together in one volume, folio (300x205 mm), contemporary full vellum binding, four raised bands spine, gilt titles engraved in an orange morocco label, ff. [8],pp. 236, 240, ff. [40].

Exceedingly rare first edition of Pignatelli’s second and third volumes of Consultationes, his immense repertory on Canon Law printed in ten volumes (each published separately between 1668 and 1683).

The work is a collection of legal counsels and opinions in Canon Law, to be used at the Ecclesiastical Courts as a repertoire of real cases. The second and third tomes, containing the Controversiae related to canonization, correct practices, Counsil of Trent’s dispositions, Bishop’s and ecclesiastical immunity.

Francesco Giacomo Pignatelli (1625-1699) was a renowned Italian Canonist, grown in Taranto and Rome where he took a degree in Utroque Iure. He was Camerlingo for the Roman Clergy, and he refused many times the nomination to Bishop, to fully dedicate himself to juridical studies.

References: Not in Fontana that mentions other editions; not in Sapori that mentions only a later edition. IT\ICCU\RLZE\030113 and IT\ICCU\RAVE\025196. According to OCLC, no copies in USA, no single volumes of this work in US libraries.

A COLLECTION OF PONTIFICAL RULES AND ROMAN CURIA DECISIONS

Pittoni, Giovanni Battista. Constitutiones pontificiae et Romanarum Congregationum Decisiones advicarios utriusque cleri spectantes. Jo. Baptista Pittono sacerdote Veneto collectore […]Venetiis, excudebatLeonardus Pittonus Collectoris Pater, Habentur venales sub Signo Cambii, 1715.[bound with:]Universalia sacrorum rituum congregationibus decreta omnibus utriusque Cleri Ecclesiasticis ubique locorumexistentibus perutilia, & necessaria, a Jo. Baptista Pittono sacerdote Veneto collecta […]. Venetiis, excudebatLeonardus Pittonus Collectoris Pater, 1715.

8° (164x103 mm), full stiff vellum binding, sepia ink handwritten titles at second sector of 4 raised bands spine, printed paper label at lower spine with shelf-mark, handwritten titles at lower edge, pp. [24], 196, [4], 46, [2].

Collection of pontifical rules and Roman Curia Congregation decisions related to the authority of Congregation vicars, together with the decrees on management and celebrations of the same confraternity.

Giovanni Battista Pittoni (m. 1748) was a priest from Veneto, that wrote many ecclesiastical biographies and treatises on catholic ceremonials. He is also author of a scarce treatise on burial ceremonies.

Provenance: I. paper ex-libris at inside boards with the coat of arms of the Turin Society of Jesus.
II. Sepia ink handwritten note Col. Taur. Soc. Ies. Catal. Inscrip. Ex Censu. Vict. Ame. I. and Society of Jesus stamp at title page.

References: IT\ICCU\TO0E\074869 (for the first work), IT\ICCU\UMCE\013976 for the second one. OCLC, 433599688.

FIRST EDITION OF POSTIO'S COLLECTION OF DECISIONS ON «INTERIM» (TEMPORARY NOMINATIONS)

Postio, Ludovico. Sac. Rotae Romanae Decisiones a Ludouico Postio v.i.d. Perusino collectae ad Tractatum mandati de manutenendo, siue Summarijssimi possessorij, interim, nuncupati. Quarum aliquae antea impressae, quamplurimae de nouo in lucem editae; totam summarijssimi possessorij materiam illustrantes. Augustae Taurinorum, Apud Haeredes Io. Dominici Tarini, 1645.

Folio (345x210 mm), contemporary full vellum binding, handwritten title at spine, pp. 573, [3, blanks]. Xylographic decorations, text on two columns.

Scarce first edition of Postio's Decisions on the juridical institution of Interim, called, in medieval Latin, Mandatum Manutenendi.

The Latin phrase ad interim (abbr. ad int, literally "in the time between") means "in the meantime" or "temporarily".

Ludovico Postio (XVII century) was a famous jurist from Perugia, expert in Civil Law. He was deputy in Ascoli and Macerata, as well as magistrate and auditor at the Holy Rota court. He was also auditor at the Bologna Rota, where he gathered all the sentences in an important collection of Decisiones .

Provenance: Sepia ink handwritten ownership inscription Ex libris Vincentij de Ravanis IC. written twice at title page.

References: IT\ICCU\RMGE\000587. OCLC 62673350: only two copies in USA (University of California Berkeley Law Library and University of Minnesota, Law Library Twin Cities Campus, Law Library, Minneapolis).