Quarto. [8], 196pp, [34]. Contemporary vellum, title in manuscript to spine. Extremities worn, heavily marked and discoloured, several worm-holes to boards, spine cracked. Ink-stamp of the Lawes Agricultural library to FEP, early ink signatures to title (a couple scored through), leaves browned and stained, some worming to margins.

An early edition of the statutes and laws of the Roman city guild of agricultural workers, published by Giorgio Ferrari for the Roman Papal Press. Part of the comprehensive reforms and publication of decrees and statutes issued in the wake of Michele Ghislieri’s, election as Pope Pius V in 1566, this volume outlines an extensive reorganisation of the agricultural industry, including measures relating to the sale and distribution of vegetables and live-stock (including pricing), regulations regarding the division of land, the rates of pay for farm workers and numerous public health measures relating to hygiene. Numerous revised editions were issued up to the mid-nineteenth century.

COPAC records copies of this edition at two locations (Cambridge and Oxford); OCLC adds one further (BNF).