Ivs Civile Manvscriptorvm Librorvm Ope, Svmma Diligentia Est Integerrima Fide Infinitis Locis Emendatvm, et Perpetvis Notis Illvstratvm

Antwerp: C. Plantin, 1567. UNIFORM CONTEMPORARY ?BRABANT GILT CALF (minor defects), outer frame of a ropework roll, deeply impressed corner pieces of interlacing strapwork and foliage, each front panel with a central oval medallion of sinuous azured scrollwork, foliage and blooms, each rear panel with a central oval medallion with an azured rectangular frame and foliage and blooms, gilt-ruled spine with a gilt owl in each compartment, blue edges with contemporary manuscript titles.

"At the center of the study of Roman Law is the monumental compilation made at the order of Justinian, Emperor of the East (483?-565), which brought together...a thousand years of legal development" (Library of Congress Law Library 72). Plantin used the recension of Bourges jurist Louis Roussard (fl. 1552-66), who omitted the standard gloss but added his own critical notes as well as those of his mentor, François Douaren (1509-59). Roussard's edition first appeared as a bulky two-volume folio (Lyon, Rouillé 1560-61). In 1565, Rouillé pleaded with Plantin to not print an edition, as Rouillé was already planning a revised version. Alas, Plantin had already made an agreement with one of Rouillé's competitors. Most sets recorded in American libraries are incomplete. Handsome, complete and in a handy format (a few marginal paper flaws with loss of a few sorts), many margins uncut, one fore-edge still conjugate. Full collation and pagination statement on request.
¶Voet, The Plantin Press 1034; Lipen, Bibliotheca realis juridica I: 759.