Antonius Matthaeus - De Principibus, de Ducibus, de Comitibus, de Baronibus - 1686





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Description from the seller
A significant and richly illustrated work on European nobility, law, and constitutional history of the 17th century, in which Antonius Matthaeus examines the emergence, rights, and hierarchies of the nobility based on numerous historical sources, documents, seals, and pictorial evidence.
First edition. Publisher: Amstelodami & Lugd. Batavorum [Amsterdam and Leiden], apud Janssonio-Waesbergios & Felicem Lopez, 1686. 4 books in 2 parts, in 1 volume. 12 preliminary pages, 768 pages; 28 preliminary pages, pages 769–1151. With 25 text engravings, 5 full-page copperplates, and some woodcut illustrations in the text. Contemporary blind-stamped parchment binding over stiff boards with 5 raised bands and manuscript back-title. 23 x 18 cm
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First edition of the extensive main work of the Dutch jurist and historian Antonius Matthaeus (1635–1710), professor of jurisprudence and history in Leiden. Matthaeus treats the history and legal status of the nobility from antiquity up to his own time. It provides detailed examinations of princes, dukes, counts, barons, knights, and other noble or military ranks and offices, as well as their rights, privileges, and social functions. A particular emphasis lies on the Netherlands, especially Holland and the diocese of Utrecht.
The work is also a rich historical source collection: Matthaeus evaluated numerous older documents, acts, and other historical testimonies, including material he claims had been unpublished up to that point. The numerous depictions of seals, coats of arms, monograms, banners, and historical figures lend the work additional value as a source for heraldry, seal science, and costume history.
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Altogether an extraordinarily well-preserved and very clean specimen of the rare first edition in contemporary parchment binding
Seller's Story
A significant and richly illustrated work on European nobility, law, and constitutional history of the 17th century, in which Antonius Matthaeus examines the emergence, rights, and hierarchies of the nobility based on numerous historical sources, documents, seals, and pictorial evidence.
First edition. Publisher: Amstelodami & Lugd. Batavorum [Amsterdam and Leiden], apud Janssonio-Waesbergios & Felicem Lopez, 1686. 4 books in 2 parts, in 1 volume. 12 preliminary pages, 768 pages; 28 preliminary pages, pages 769–1151. With 25 text engravings, 5 full-page copperplates, and some woodcut illustrations in the text. Contemporary blind-stamped parchment binding over stiff boards with 5 raised bands and manuscript back-title. 23 x 18 cm
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First edition of the extensive main work of the Dutch jurist and historian Antonius Matthaeus (1635–1710), professor of jurisprudence and history in Leiden. Matthaeus treats the history and legal status of the nobility from antiquity up to his own time. It provides detailed examinations of princes, dukes, counts, barons, knights, and other noble or military ranks and offices, as well as their rights, privileges, and social functions. A particular emphasis lies on the Netherlands, especially Holland and the diocese of Utrecht.
The work is also a rich historical source collection: Matthaeus evaluated numerous older documents, acts, and other historical testimonies, including material he claims had been unpublished up to that point. The numerous depictions of seals, coats of arms, monograms, banners, and historical figures lend the work additional value as a source for heraldry, seal science, and costume history.
--------------------------------------
Altogether an extraordinarily well-preserved and very clean specimen of the rare first edition in contemporary parchment binding
