Justinian I, Digestorum, Paris, 1527, contemporary Roman red morocco gilt

JUSTINIAN I. Digestorum seu pandectarum iuris civilis volume primum undecim libros priores complectens. Paris: Robert Estienne, 10 November 1527

The first of five parts of Justinian’s law code, printed by Robert Estienne, in a contemporary Roman binding with a longitudinal spine title.

8vo (170 x 110 mm). Roman type, 33 lines plus headline. Collation: *⁸ a⁴ b⁶ c-z⁸ aa-ss⁸: 330 leaves (a4 and ss8 blank). Woodcut Estienne device on title-page. (Occasional light damp-staining or foxing.)

Binding: Contemporary Roman red morocco gilt (177 x 120 mm), small central five-petalled flower stamp within a small eight-pointed frame, outer double frame of gilt and blind fillets, gilt corner fleurons, title lettered longitudinally along spine, later faint lettering at foot of spine “STE[phanus?] 15[--]”, gilt edges, stubs from four pairs of ties. (Binding slightly rubbed and stained, ends of spine and joints repaired.)

Provenance: Ascanio Farina, of Cuneo, inscription on title-page, graduated in jurisprudence from the university of Mondovì in 1681 and mayor of Cuneo during the siege in 1691 — Wilmot, earl of Lisburne (1728-1800), armorial bookplate — Sotheby’s, 7-9 July 1952, lot 135, to — Alan G. Thomas (1911-1992), booklabel, sale, Sotheby’s, 21 June 1993, lot 124. Acquisition: Purchased at the preceding sale. References: BP16 105357; USTC 145842