Baysio's Rosarium decretorum

Baysio's Rosarium decretorum
Johannes Herbort de Seligenstadt for Johannes de Colonia, Nicolaus Jenson, et Socii, 1481
BAYSIO, Guido de (d. 1313). Rosarium decretorum. [Venice:] Johannes Herbort de Seligenstadt for Johannes de Colonia, Nicolaus Jenson, et Socii, 3 April 1481.

Guido’s commentary on Gratian’s Decretum, illuminated with large acanthus initials. Guido de Baysio’s text, composed in 1300, was immensely popular and saw many editions. The present edition was printed for the firm of Johannes de Colonia and Jenson, although Jenson had actually died the previous year, with his types being replaced by those of Seligenstadt. H 2717*; GW 3747; BMC V 301; BSB-Ink B-248; IGI 4556; Goff B-288; ISTC ib00288000.

Royal folio (397 x 276mm). 415 leaves (of 416, without final blank). 4 large illuminated acanthus initials, one of which with partial border, the other 2 with smaller flourishes, 2 smaller illuminated initials, other red and blue initials and red capital strokes, woodcut printer’s device printed in red (illuminated borders on first leaf trimmed, with lower corner torn away, closed interior tear to printer’s device, some spotting and staining). 18th-century calf, with crown stamp on spine (joint cracked, spine worn and darkened, with losses to headcap). Provenance: acquired from Lathrop C. Harper, Inc, New York, 9 May 1956.