[The Justinien Code]

2 volumes 4°, imprint : La Minerve, I/ (8) ll including the red and black title page, 694 pp. ; II/ 665 pp., (59) pp. for the index.
Contemporary red morocco, triple gilt fillet on covers, gilt arms at the center, ribbed spine decorated with gilt crownd monogram, decorated edges, marginal dampstain on second volume’s cover.

232 x 180 mm.

Code Justinien. Ant. Perez (1585-1672). J. C. S. C. et R. Majestatis consiliarii, in Academia Lovaniensi legum antecessoris, Praelectiones in duodecim libros codicis Justiniani Imp. Editio nova, ab auctore recognita et aucta, summariis, indicibusque locupletata.
Amstelaedami, apud Ludovicum et Danielem Elzevirios, 1661.

The first 4° edition of the Justinian Code with the commentary by Antoine Pérez (1585-1672) published by the Elzevier and second edition after the folio edition dated 1653.

« A highly regarded work » (Willems, 1164).

« Rare edition unknown to Brunet and Paquot, more beautiful and convenient than the folio dated 1653 » (Willems, 1273).

"Louis Elzevier published a folio edition of this work in 1653 (no. 1164). This one is more beautiful and convenient, as the author himself points out in a printed warning on the verso of the title page: "Paulisper hic siste, lector. Haec editio Elzeviriana, quam unicam semper agnovera, caeterisk praetulero, ut aspecta statim placeat, haud voveo: magis ut inspecta. Castigatissimam deprehendes; delectabit mira typi elegantia, et melioris notae charta. Quod autem hac formâ prodierit, scito id commodi tui caussâ factum. You congratulate fruere, mihique fave and vale; et hoc opus, si Deus pauxillum vitae dat, notis in folio illustratum, ex typographeio Elzeviriano expecta. Lovanii, Id. Martii 1661. Ant. Perezius."
Neither Paquo nor Brunet knew this edition, and in fact it is rare. Daniel reproduced it line for line in 1671” (Willems).

Pérez (whose real name was Antonio Pérez) was born in Alforo on the Ebro River. His father, who was in the service of the Infanta Elisabeth, wife of Archduke Albert, having taken him to the Netherlands in the entourage of this Princess, had him study Law in Brussels and Leuven. Antonio Pérez then traveled to France and Italy; and having returned to Leuven in 1614, he was appointed Professor of Law at the University of that city. An appointment as Army Intendant, which he received six years later, temporarily interrupted his work and regular activities. However, after the Army was disbanded, he returned to his position as Professor of Law, which he held until his death in 1672.

Antonio Pérez, Professor of Law, had earned the title of jurist through several excellent works. Pérez is particularly cited for his work on the Institutes and the Justinian Code.

The precious Justinian Code of Colbert Marquis de Seignelay (Jean-Baptiste), the first minister of that name; Born in Reims on August 29, 1619, died in the same city on September 6, 1683.

Colbert, comme chacun sait, fut un habile organisateur. Ce que l’on sait peut-être moins, c’est qu’il a été l’un des plus ardents bibliophiles que l’on connaisse. A ce tact merveilleux qui lui faisait voir vite et bien le côté pratique d’une situation difficile, il joignait un goût profond pour les hautes manifestations de l’esprit. L’amour des livres le rendit presque aussi célèbre que ses talents administratifs. Sa bibliothèque, créée, à l’aide du savant Carcavi, au milieu d’une vie si laborieuse, jouissait, dès 1662, d’une réputation telle que les savants de l’Europe demandaient comme une faveur insigne d’être admis à la visiter.

Provenance: Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683); his eldest son Jean-Baptiste Colbert, marquis de Seignelay (1651-1690), Jacques-Nicolas Colbert, archbishop of Rouen, Charles-Eléonor Colbert, who died in 1747.