Lot 53
  • 53

Platea, Franciscus de

Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description

  • Platea, Franciscus de
  • Opus restitutionum, usurarum, excommunicationum. Venice: Johannes de Colonia and Johannes Manthen, 25 March 1474
  • Paper
Median 4to (232 x 165mm.), 152 leaves, [*-**8; a-b10 c-d8 e10 f12 g-n10 o8], double column, 40 lines, gothic type, 1- to 6-line initials in red or blue with printed guides, red paraphs, headlines supplied in red ink, foliation in red ink in circles (also on final two blank leaves), nineteenth-century vellum-backed boards, one old and one new spine label, deckle edges, traces of manuscript sewing guards, blue initials faded, some annotations washed, a few small stains

Literature

Goff P755; HC 13038; BMC v 225; BSB-Ink P-554; Bod-inc P-336; GW M00828

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Franciscus de Platea (died 1460) studied civil and canon law in Bologna and later became a Franciscan. This text was first printed in Padua by 1472 and this is at least the fifth edition.

Platea's 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 heretics.