Summenhart's Opus septipartitum de contractibus

Summenhart's Opus septipartitum de contractibus
Heinrich Gran for Johannes Rynman, 1500
SUMMENHART, Conradus (fl.1476-1502). Opus septipartitum de contractibus. Hagenau: Heinrich Gran for Johannes Rynman, 13 October 1500.

First edition of a work on canon law and economics. Summenhart combines theology and canon law to consider questions related to money exchange, buying and selling, and loans and ownership—treading the fine line between viewing any profitable venture as a sin and being able to make a profit with a clear conscience. HC 15179*; BMC III 688; BSB-Ink S-648; Goff S-863; ISTC is00863000.

Chancery folio (270 x 190mm). 433 leaves (of 434, without final blank). (Some spotting and browning; a few small closed marginal tears.) 18th-century speckled calf (a little worn). Provenance: Forest H. Sweet (1894-1961, American book dealer; sold, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 21 May 1957, lot 612) – acquired there.