Avignon, Laurent Lemolt, 1680.
4to [224 x 156 mm] of (8) ll., 334 pp., (31) ll. of Index. Small hole not affecting the text on p.1, small restoration not affecting the text on 1 l. of the index. Bound in full contemporary red morocco, double frame of double gilt fillet on the covers with corner fleurons in the style of Duseuil, spine ribbed and decorated with gilt fleurons, gilt over marbled edges. Contemporary binding.
Rare edition printed in Avignon of the Statutes of the town of Avignon. This rare work is extremely important regarding the law and customaries of the town of Avignon. These statutes established in 1570 govern the life of the City of Popes.
The first edition of this text was firstly published in Lyon in 1612. This present edition seems to be the first one printed in Avignon, which gives it a peculiar interest.
We find in here texts ruling the organization of the town, trade, legislation of various trades, games, entertainment, weights and measures, hunting, medicine, pharmaceutics, surgery, prostitution, etc. Most of the work is written in Latin, but we find two sections written in French, one regarding the making and cost of the various types of bread, the other about the rules on abuses of justice.
The work also encloses the papal decrees of Pope Pius V, Pope Clement VIII, but also decrees about the Jewish community of the town. Under Papal law, after having been expelled from the rest of France in the 14th century, the Jews settled in Avignon were allowed to stay there. Known as “the Pope’s Jews”, the community existed for almost 700 years. An important section is dedicated to the statutes of the Jews in Avignon.
Beautiful copy of these Statutes of the town of Avignon, preserved in its contemporary red morocco binding decorated in the style of Duseuil.
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