[Opus restitutionum, usurarum et excommunicationum].

4to: [226] ff., 32 ll. (including initial blank, a couple of single wormholes, library (?) stamp partly erased on 1st f.).

Modern binding : red quarter morocco over wood, gilt title on 4 raised bands, edges bevelled inside (old vellum flyleaves bound with).

Fourth edition, published in the same year as te Padua editio princeps, of the major work of the Franciscan canon lawyer Franciscus de Platea (+ 1460). His treatise is generally considered to be one of the earliest printed works of economics, although it also deals with matters of moral, legal and political import from across Italy. In the section on excommunications, he details seven ways to falsify papal documents, all of which, of course, would lead to excommunication. He also considers the moral standing of a person who has ordered a failed assassination and condemns inquisitors who extort money from suspected herectis. Very nice wide-margined copy. Ref. ISTC ip00752000.- Goff P-752.- Polain 3179.- IDL 3701.- BMC V:208.- CIBN P-429.- BSB-Ink P-550. Provenance : Olin Lane Merriam, American collector in England c. 1900 (modern bookplate); [Georges Petit].