D Justiniani Institutionum Libri Quatuor, The Four Books of Justinian
With Interesting Comparisons Between Roman and English Law Justinian I (483-565 CE), Emperor of the East. Harris, George [1722-1796], Editor and Translator. D. Justiniani Institutionum Libri Quatuor: The Four Books of Justinian's Institutions, Translated Into English, With Notes. London: Printed for C. Bathurst and E. Withers, 1756. xv, [1], 73, [1]; 121, [1]; 100; 92; 11, [5] pp. Copperplate table of descents. Quarto (11-1/4" x 9"). Contemporary paneled calf with early rebacking, raised bands and lettering piece to spine. Light rubbing and some shallow scuffing to boards, heavier rubbing to extremities and spine, wear to spine ends and corners, boards partially detached, owner bookplate of Charles Frost of Hull to front pastedown, title page partially detached but secure. Moderate toning and light foxing to text, early annotations, most likely by Frost, to several leaves, offsetting to margins of preliminaries and rear endleaves. $450. * First edition. This well-respected edition is notable for its elegant parallel translation. Harris, an advocate of Doctor's Commons, provides an interesting historical introduction and notes that compare the rules of Roman and English law. The final section is a translation of "Concerning the Succession of Descendents," Book 118 of the Novels. This work was owned by many sophisticated lawyers in Great Britain and America, such as Thomas Jefferson. Second and third editions were published in 1761 and 1811. Frost [1781?-1862], an English lawyer, was a notable legal writer and antiquary. He is known today for his research into the early history of Hull, England. Sowerby, Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson 2191 (second edition). English Short-Title Catalogue N8181.
Price: $450.00
Book number 70415