Showcase what thisAntique 1711 Vellum-Bound Folio – Catholic Canon Law / Roman Rota Decisions
Offered here is an original 1711 folio law book, printed in Venice by Paulus Balleonius, titled:
“Decisiones Diversorum Auditorum Sacrae Rotae Romanae”
by Francisco Maria Constantino (Count Palatine)
This imposing folio records the decisions of the Sacra Rota Romana, the highest papal appellate tribunal of the Catholic Church. Such volumes codified interpretations of canon and civil law, influencing European jurisprudence in the early 18th century.
📜 Details:
• Date: 1711 (MDCCXI)
• Place: Venice (Venetiis)
• Printer: Paulus Balleonius
• Binding: Contemporary full vellum, hand-titled spine
• Language: Latin
• Pagination: c. 400+ pages
• Features: Large woodcut printer’s device on title page, decorative initials, indexes, marginalia, and early signatures/notations
⚖️ Historical Significance:
The Sacra Rota Romana was the supreme ecclesiastical court of appeal. Its decisions shaped church doctrine, canon law, and even civil practice across Catholic Europe. A work like this would have been consulted by bishops, lawyers, and universities, bridging theology, philosophy, and jurisprudence.
📚 Condition:
• Vellum binding with natural age wear, cracking, and darkening
• Tight, solid binding for its age
• Interior remarkably clean for a 300+ year-old folio
• Occasional toning, foxing, and signs of use as expected
The boards have a tendency to want to open up so the book does not lay completely flat like a new book would but springs open a bit because of the 320 year old vellum (see photos)
• Please see detailed photos for exact condition
Title page:
Latin (from title page):
DECISIONES Diversorum Auditorum SACRÆ ROTÆ ROMANÆ super Materiis Beneficiorum, Simoniae, Patronatus, & aliis Interpretationum Statutorum, & iuris utriusque resolutionibus.
A FRANCISCO MARIA CONSTANTINO J. C. Nobili Aclano, Comite Palatino &c.
Cum Privilegiis, & Facultatibus. Apud Paulum Balleonium. Venetiis, MDCCXI.
⸻
English Translation:
Decisions of various Auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota on matters of benefices, simony, patronage, and other issues concerning the interpretation of statutes and the resolutions of both civil and canon law.
Compiled by Franciscus Maria Constantinus, Doctor of Law, Nobleman of Aclanum, Count Palatine, etc.
With privileges and faculties granted.
Published by Paolo Balleonius, Venice, 1711.
Excerpt from the General Index (1711):
“Masculinity is not presumed from the mere appearance of a beard; maturity and manhood must be proved by lawful testimony, not by outward signs alone. A husband is bound to maintain his wife with sufficient food and clothing according to his estate and condition, and he cannot alienate her dowry goods without just cause. His authority over the household is subject to law and limited by equity, for he must act for the benefit of his wife and family.” product is about. What’s it made of? How was it made? What are ways to enjoy it?
Showcase what thisAntique 1711 Vellum-Bound Folio – Catholic Canon Law / Roman Rota Decisions
Offered here is an original 1711 folio law book, printed in Venice by Paulus Balleonius, titled:
“Decisiones Diversorum Auditorum Sacrae Rotae Romanae”
by Francisco Maria Constantino (Count Palatine)
This imposing folio records the decisions of the Sacra Rota Romana, the highest papal appellate tribunal of the Catholic Church. Such volumes codified interpretations of canon and civil law, influencing European jurisprudence in the early 18th century.
📜 Details:
• Date: 1711 (MDCCXI)
• Place: Venice (Venetiis)
• Printer: Paulus Balleonius
• Binding: Contemporary full vellum, hand-titled spine
• Language: Latin
• Pagination: c. 400+ pages
• Features: Large woodcut printer’s device on title page, decorative initials, indexes, marginalia, and early signatures/notations
⚖️ Historical Significance:
The Sacra Rota Romana was the supreme ecclesiastical court of appeal. Its decisions shaped church doctrine, canon law, and even civil practice across Catholic Europe. A work like this would have been consulted by bishops, lawyers, and universities, bridging theology, philosophy, and jurisprudence.
📚 Condition:
• Vellum binding with natural age wear, cracking, and darkening
• Tight, solid binding for its age
• Interior remarkably clean for a 300+ year-old folio
• Occasional toning, foxing, and signs of use as expected
The boards have a tendency to want to open up so the book does not lay completely flat like a new book would but springs open a bit because of the 320 year old vellum (see photos)
• Please see detailed photos for exact condition
Title page:
Latin (from title page):
DECISIONES Diversorum Auditorum SACRÆ ROTÆ ROMANÆ super Materiis Beneficiorum, Simoniae, Patronatus, & aliis Interpretationum Statutorum, & iuris utriusque resolutionibus.
A FRANCISCO MARIA CONSTANTINO J. C. Nobili Aclano, Comite Palatino &c.
Cum Privilegiis, & Facultatibus. Apud Paulum Balleonium. Venetiis, MDCCXI.
⸻
English Translation:
Decisions of various Auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota on matters of benefices, simony, patronage, and other issues concerning the interpretation of statutes and the resolutions of both civil and canon law.
Compiled by Franciscus Maria Constantinus, Doctor of Law, Nobleman of Aclanum, Count Palatine, etc.
With privileges and faculties granted.
Published by Paolo Balleonius, Venice, 1711.
Excerpt from the General Index (1711):
“Masculinity is not presumed from the mere appearance of a beard; maturity and manhood must be proved by lawful testimony, not by outward signs alone. A husband is bound to maintain his wife with sufficient food and clothing according to his estate and condition, and he cannot alienate her dowry goods without just cause. His authority over the household is subject to law and limited by equity, for he must act for the benefit of his wife and family.” product is about. What’s it made of? How was it made? What are ways to enjoy it?
