Hermann Latherus (1 results)

Contemporary Vellum. Condition: VG. First edition. A rare in commerce first edition (only two auction records in the past 100 years) of an important and in-depth scholarly treatise on legitimate and illegitimate taxation and governance. Analysis of historical and contemporary examples in Rome, Greece, England, France Austria, etc. are discussed. In a portion of the work, the German jurist Hermann Latherus strongly denounces the practices of the Catholic Church in these and other matters, suggesting its conduct was in violation of Bible scripture. The work was quickly denounced by the Vatican and placed on theIndexLibrorumProhibitorum, its officiallist of banned books. Translation of Full Title:Hermann Lather J.U.D. of Husum in the Duchy of Schleswig. On the Census, that is, by what means, law, skill, and study one can legitimately increase the census or revenues of each kingdom, republic, or city, where also methods of refuting illegitimate ways are everywhere presented with that intention, a legal-political treatise so much for the reading of the Scriptures, as confirmed by the words and deeds of the most illustrious men, useful and very necessary for all who are of a refined mind and not averse to politics, is divided into three books, with an index of each chapter prefixed in its place. Condition: VG to VG+ for a 400-year-old+ book in contemporary vellum. Complete. BOOK INFO Published in Frankfurt, Germany by Paul Jacob in 1618. First edition of the work (which was published three more times throughout the 1600s). Text in Latin with an occasional phrase in German added. In contemporary vellum with yapp edges, exposed spine cords and refreshed book ties. Spine titled in ink by a contemporary hand. Refreshed headcaps. All edges dyed red. Thick octavo, 8" x 5" x 3 1/8". Collated and complete:[56], 1165, [41]. A few woodcut head- and tail-pieces and decorated initials. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hermann Latherus(March1583-April1640) was a German Coming from a middle-class background, Latherus studied at theUniversity of Wittenbergand theUniversity of Marburgfrom 1599. He then went on an educational trip. He visitedCologne,Freiburg,Basel,Strasbourg,Leipzig,Tübing. Hereceived his doctorate in law from theUniversity of Heidelbergin 1606. He then settled as a lawyer in his hometown and gained a high reputation. His workDe censu, tractatus nomico-politicus(Frankfurt 1618, 1651, 1668, 1687) is significant. In it he denounces above all the Roman Catholic Church for its governance and financing systems as a violation of Biblical scripture and as illegitimate. CONDITION REPORT VERY GOOD or better for a book in contemporary vellum over 400-years-old. Refreshed book ties and headcaps. Exterior and binding: Soiled and aged vellum after centuries of wear and use. Red stain in excellent condition overall, a bit dusty along top edge, per usual. Firmly bound. Interior: Pages are generally clean and toned. Oxidation, slight browning of the text block in sections. Browned and grubby endpapers and title page. Only a handful of instances of marginalia and underlining. No former owner bookplates, ex libris marks or water dampening. Very minor worm trails along some margins, not affecting text. Multiple leaves with insect nibbling along the margins. An occasional smudge or other sign of light wear. All in all, a very nice example of this first edition treatise on taxation and governance, an important work that was reprinted multiple times in the 1600s and is now rare in commerce. .