JUSTINIEN Ier.

Institutionum libri IIII. Lyon, Antoine Vincent, 1568. In-8, cold-stamped sow skin, filleting and scrollwork with allegorical portraits drawing a rectangular panel, the central part being decorated with a portrait of Lucretia stabbing herself (1st plate) and a personified allegory of Justice (2nd plate), initials IIW and date 1569 stamped on the first plate, metal clasps, spine with nerves, title in ink on the side edge (Binding of the time). Lyon edition of the IV books of the Institutes, commented by the jurisconsult Accursius (13th century) whose gloss has become the reference commentary on Roman law. The Institutes form part of the famous Corpus juris civilis of the Emperor Justinian. INTERESTING BINDING STAMPED WITH THE EFFIGIES OF JUSTICE, DATED AND COMPLETE WITH ITS CLASPS. On the first board is a bust portrait of Lucretia stabbing herself, and on the second a personified allegory of Justice holding a scale: these effigies fit perfectly with the text of Justinian. The initials IIW stamped on the first cover are certainly those of the book's first owner and have not been identified. Manuscript bookplate of the time on the title. Some underlining and old annotations in pen. Restored tear on the title, small repair to leaves Kk8 and Mm8 with loss of some letters, inner margin of the title and last leaf partly stuck to the endpapers. Some wetness. Lining and endpapers renewed.