GRATIANUS (d. c.1160). Decreti huius plenissimum argumentum. Paris: Johann Petit and Thielman Kerver, 26 November 1510.

Gratian’s important text on canon law, printed by Thielman Kerver at the sign of the unicorn and in a contemporary binding. A collection of nearly 4,000 patristic texts, conciliar decrees, and Papal pronouncements touching on all fields of church discipline, the Decretum quickly became the authoritative text on canon law, forming the first part of the Corpus juris canonici. In high demand, it was printed in many editions; this one is by the successful Parisian printing impresario Thielman Kerver, and is not recorded at auction by ABPC or RBH. Inventaire chronologique des éditions parisiennes du XVIe siècle 1 359: 65.

Quarto (230 x 162mm). Printed in red and black throughout. Woodcut printer's device on title, three large woodcut illustrations, woodcut initials (repaired tears in margins of f. 115 and f. 211, repair affecting text on f. 183, small repairs scattered throughout but mostly in gatherings G, H, and I occasionally in text, final leaf with large repair resulting in loss of text, a little dampstaining at edges and some old stains, minor worming in gutter). Contemporary blindstamped pigskin over wooden boards, brass catchplates, title stamped on upper board (lacking straps, a little wear and staining). Provenance: extensive marginalia in several hands.