Theodosius II; Sichard, Johannes, Editor

Codicis Theodosiani Libri XVI...[Codex Theodosianus]...1528. 1st Ed

      1528. Theodosius II, [401-450] CE Emperor of the East. Sichard, Johannes (1499-1552), Editor. Gaius [c.115-180 CE]. Frontinus, Sextis Julius [c.40-103 CE). Paulus, Julius, [fl. c.200 CE]. Maecianus, L. Volusius [Second Century, CE.]. Aggenus, Urbicus. Codicis Theodosiani Libri XVI: Qiubus [sic] Sunt Ipsorum Principum Autoritate Adiectae Novellae Theodosij, Valentiniani, Martiani, Maioriani, Seueri, Caij Institutionum Lib. II, Iulij Pauli Receptarum Sententiarum Lib. V, Gregoriani Codicis Lib. V, Hermogeniani Lib. I, Papiniani Tit. I: Hiis Nos Adjecimus ex Vetustissimis Bibliothecis, Eo Quod ad Ius Civile Pertinerent, & Alterius Etiam Responsa Passim in Pandectis Legerentur, L. Volusij Metiani Lib. de Asse, Julij Frontini Lib. de Controversijs Limitum, Cum Aggeni Urbici Commentarijs. [Basel: Henricus Petrus, 1528]. [vi], 178 [i.e. 172] ff. (forming 356 pages). Gatherings D, E and G paginated rather than foliated. Collation: a6 a-z4 A-C4 D-E2 F4 G2 H-V4 X6. Folio (12" x 8"). Handsome recent vellum using a circa 16th century antiphonal leaf, two pairs of calf ties, endpapers renewed. Numerous decorative and historiated woodcut initials by Hans Holbein the Younger, mostly from his various Kinderalphabeten, including a splendid 9-line opening initial 'S' on leaf a1r, depicting two putti, one playing a lute. This magnificent initial belongs to the group of seven Kinderinitialen that, according to Schneeli & Heitz are Holbein's largest. Some toning, light marginal damp-staining to portions of text. Many leaves with scholarly marginal notes in fine early century hand. Minor soiling to margins of a few leaves. A very attractive exemplar. * First edition. Sichard, or Sichardt, was a notable German humanist and professor of Rhetoric at the University of Basel. His edition is a notable imprint because it contains an early critical edition of the Codex Theodosianus and the first complete edition of the Lex Romana Visigothorum. Commissioned by the Emperor Theodosius II in 429 CE, the C