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2026 RBMS Virtual Showcase

June 23-26, 2026

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[LAW, COMPARATIVE LEGISLATION, 1593]. Syntagmatis iuris [juris] universi atque legum pene omnium gentium, et rerum publicarum praecipuarum, triplici volumine comprehensarum

Gregoire, Pierre (a.k.a. Petrus Gregorius)

$2,250
Offered by Michael Laird Rare Books LLC
  • Condition: Very good
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • Publisher: Damian Zenari
  • Location: Venice
  • Date: 1593
  • Seller SKU: 570
Venice: Damian Zenari, 1593. Hardcover. Very good. Large, thick folio. 3 volumes in one. COLLATION: Book I: a6 A-K8 L4. [12], 168 pp. Book II: Aa-Ss8 Tt6 (includes final blank). 294 pp. Book III: +10 Aaa-Ffff8 Gggg10. 851 pp. (page 497 misnumbered "597"; sig. Iii3 mis-signed "Kkk3" and Bbbb4 mis-signed "Aaaa4"). Index: a-k8. [160] pp. COMPLETE. Bound in 17th-century (?) stiff vellum expertly rebacked with modern cream-colored calf, title-lettered direct on spine; title-page of Book I somewhat soiled and tipped onto quire guard stub at an early date (probably at the time of binding as it surrounds preliminary gathering "a" and is also visible on a6r). Verso of final blank a little soiled. Faint evidence of water-staining in Book III, not objectionable, otherwise the paper stock in this copy is CLEAN AND FRESH. Preserved in a fitted cloth case. ¶ THE FIRST SYSTEMATIC ESSAY OF COMPARATIVE LEGISLATION. Revised edition, beautifully printed in Venice by Damian Zenar. Pierre Gregoire (i.e. Petrus Gregorius Tolosanus) was born in Toulous ca. 1540; in his long career he was professor of Law at Cahors, Toulouse, Saint-Michel and Pont-a-Mousson. Gregoire's abilities as a legal scholar were held in very high regard by his contemporaries. He died in 1597 (or 1617 according to Calmet). Gregoire's "Syntagma Juris Universi" was frequently reprinted; according to Hoefer, "it was extremely remarkable for the era, as it was the first systematic essay of comparative legislation." ¶ As indicated on the title page, this is the fourth edition, here presented for the first time the revisions and augmentations by the author, and with improved subject index. ¶ CONTENTS: Pars prima: In quo divini et humani iuris totius, naturali, ac nova methodo pergradus ordineque, materia universalium & singularium rerum, simulq; iudicia explicantur -- Pars secunda: Ubi de personis, iuribs, et potestate earum agitur -- Pars tertia: In qua de negotiis, quae ex rebus et personis oriuntur, & quotidie controvertuntur, agitu; iurisconsultis, in foro versantibus, & magistratibus opus utilissimum; legibus omnium fere gentium, & praxi forensi illustratum. ¶ Not in Adams (sic!) ¶ PROVENANCE: From the Bibliotheca Sunderlandiana (sale: London, Puttick and Simpson, 3rd Portion, 17 July 1882, lot 5760). --> Unobtrusive blind stamps on final two leaves of the Theological Institute of Connecticut (now known as the Hartford Seminary). NB: in 1976 a collection of more than 200,000 books from the Hartford Seminary Library were sold to Emory University, including this one --> deaccessioned from Pitts Theology Library.

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Michael Laird Rare Books LLC
Specializing in African-Americana, Ephemera, Fine And Historic Bookbindings, Illustrated Books, Latin Americana, Manuscripts, Oriental Printed Books And Manuscripts, Western Americana and Women's Studies.
Michael Laird is the sole proprietor of Michael Laird Rare Books. He has over thirty years' experience working with rare books and manuscripts. Mr. Laird earned his Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989. He has taught graduate level courses on Rare Books and Special Collections Librarianship at New York University (SCPS), Palmer School of Library and Information Science, and the University of Texas at Austin (School of Information). Michael Laird is a Certified member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA) and is USPAP Compliant through October 2025. He is the principal appraiser of rare books, manuscripts, archives, and documents for Winston Art Group (New York) and Gurr Johns Inc. (New York), the largest art appraisal companies in the United States. He is an active member in the Grolier Club, and has published a number of scholarly articles and reviews, the most recent being a 3-part biography of Bernard Breslauer which appeared in the Gazette of the Grolier Club.

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Michael Laird
PO Box 299
Lockhart, Texas 78644
Phone/Text: (917) 747-5953
http://michaellaird.com
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Terms: 1. Everything we sell is unconditionally guaranteed to be as described. Returns cheerfully accepted within 14 days of receipt. Please advise us in advance. 2. Payments accepted by check or bank transfer (preferred) as well as major credit cards and Paypal. 3. We ship and bill to customers known to us, or to those who can provide ABAA trade references (net 14 days); others invoiced pro-forma. Reciprocal trade discounts apply. 4. We are known for "aggressively overpacking" our shipments; whenever possible we use recycled materials. Domestic shipments are sent signature required (USPS Media Mail or USPS Priority). Overseas shipments sent FedEX of USPS Global Express to insure door-to-door tracking; please inquire for shipping quotes. Thank you for reading our Terms! Order with confidence: we have been working with rare books and manuscripts full-time since 1986, and have been active in the trade since 1992.
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