[FIRST EDITION] Thomas Craig - Jus Feudale - 1655

DESCRIPTION: I present at auction this extraordinary and coveted FIRST EDITION of 1655 of "Jus Feudale" by Sir Thomas Craig of Riccarton, in a monumental folio volume, printed in London by the renowned Stationers' Company. A bibliographic jewel of priceless historical value that constitutes the pillar of British feudal law, enriched with a magnificent noble heraldic ex-libris, spectacular typographic woodcuts, and the unique allure of being the only copy for sale in the world.

NOBLE PROVENANCE: THE EX-LIBRIS OF SIR WILLIAM MAXWELL

+ Sir William Maxwell of Monreith, Baronet: Belonging to one of the most influential dynasties of Scottish aristocracy (the Maxwell of Monreith, in Wigtownshire). Sir William Maxwell, first Baronet of Monreith, held a position of great prestige and influence in Scotland’s landed nobility.

+ Heraldic Details: The engraving features the family coat of arms charged with the double-headed eagle, the nobiliary helm with laurel, and the distinctive motto "REVIRESCO" ("I flourish again") on a superior cartouche. In the sinister canton rests the emblem of the "Red Hand of Ulster" (Mano Roja del Ulster), proper to the Baronet rank. A flawless noble provenance certifying its lineage in the great private British libraries.

TYPOGRAPHIC RICHES: CAPITULARS AND ORNAMENTED BANNERS

+ Ornamental Capitulares with Woodcut Motifs: Each section opening (Epistola Nuncupatoria, Book I, II and III) begins with imposing wood-engraved capital letters (such as N, Q, or A). They stand out for their lush interweavings of foliage, tendrils, vegetal motifs, and classical allegories.

+ Headpieces and Typographic Bands: The work is finished with striking horizontal woodcuts displaying mythological figures, putti, satyrs, sea monsters, birds, and Renaissance grotesque motifs of exquisite workmanship.

ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECE AND ABSOLUTE MARKET EXCLUSIVITY

+ ONLY COPY FOR SALE IN THE WORLD: There is currently no other copy of this very rare London 1655 folio first edition available on the international antique-book market. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for institutional and private collectors.

+ DO NOT CONFUSE WITH THE OCTAVO EDITION: It is vital not to confuse this coveted copy with later reprints in octavo format (8vo). While octavo editions are more common and less valuable.

THE ORIGIN OF FEUDAL LAW:

+ Written by the eminent Scottish jurist Sir Thomas Craig of Riccarton (1538–1608), Jus Feudale is considered the crowning work and the fundamental pillar of feudal law and jurisprudence in Great Britain.

+ The tract, across its three books, analyzes the structure, origin, and evolution of land tenure, the relationship between lord and vassal, property rights, confiscations, and the shared feudal customs between Scotland, England, and Continental Europe. It was the key reference work used by kings, Senators of the College of Justice of Edinburgh, and Parliamentarians to define sovereignty and property transmission in the Modern Age.

PUBLICATION YEAR: London (England, United Kingdom) 1655. 1st EDITION

LANGUAGE: Latin (Original Version)

SIZE AND PAGINATION: Size: 28 x 19 cm. Pagination: [4] + Title + [10] + 383 + [4] pp. FULL WORK

CONDITION: Original full calf binding, in good overall condition, with some scuffs as shown in the photos. Five-nerve spine. The interior is in good overall condition, as shown in the photos. Some contemporary annotations. Watermark on the last 5 leaves of the work that does not affect ink quality.

ONLY COPY ON THE MARKET, RARE AND EXTREMELY COVETED FIRST EDITION. DO NOT LET IT SLIP AWAY. NOW OR NEVER.

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