Calvinus - [PROVINENZ] Lexicon Juris Caesarei - 1622

[PROVINCE] Rare, early edition:

Johannes Calvinus (actually Johann Kahl, ca. 1550–1614): Lexicon Juris Caesarei Simul, & Canonici, Feudalis Item, Civilis, Criminalis, Theoretici, ac Practici.
Cologne: apud Philippum Albertum, 1622.

The present exemplar of the Cologne edition of 1622 (apud Philippum Albertum) bears a printed bookplate of John Hoadly, dated 1738, as well as his signature—a significant provenance indicator. John Hoadly (1711–1776) was the English dramatist, poet, and clergyman, son of Archbishop Benjamin Hoadly; his library was regarded as a prestigious collection of learned works.

The Lexicon Juris of the German jurist Johann Kahl, who published under the Latinized name Johannes Calvinus, is one of the most important legal reference works of the 17th century. It presents in lexical form the entire contemporary law: imperial law (ius caesareum), canonical church law, feudal law, civil law, and criminal law – for both scholarly and forensic use. Methodologically the work follows the humanist legal tradition: Kahl compiles and explains legal terms by drawing on the Corpus Juris Civilis, the Decretals, and relevant contemporary commentary. The work was widely used in the legal practice of the Holy Roman Empire and across Europe, and appeared in numerous editions well into the 18th century. It is regarded as a predecessor of later great legal lexicons and was regularly cited by contemporaries such as Leibniz and other scholars.

36.5×23 cm. 1047 pp. Restored, richly stamped parchment binding of the period. Interior only slightly browned, overall very well preserved. Rare, early edition. Rare to find on the market.