[Justinian I]; [Baptista de Tortis]; [Torti, Battista] - [Leaf of Incunabula] from Justinian I. "Codex de Tortis," by Baptista de Tortis in the Late 15th Century

[Venice], 1496. Removed. 1 leaf. [2 pp]. 11.5 x 17 inches. Leaf removed from an edition of Baptista de Tortis's late 15th century printing of "Codex de Tortis," (Venice: 1496), a set of laws codified by Justinian I. Though the rule of Justinian I (482-565), or Justinian the Great, was marked by a series of territorial gains for the Byzantine Empire, his legacy was sealed by his efforts to codify Roman law. Originally printed between 529 and 533 A.D. this code endured, in part, because of its pliability and its relevance to a population that reached beyond its territorial borders. This leaf Numbered 37*, printed in black & red, and initials in blue supplied by hand on the verso. "The printer, Baptista de Tortis, was one of the first printers to specialize in the jurisprudence. His reputation for accuracy of texts enabled him to dispose of edition after edition of 2000 or more copies, folio size, of his various publications, while many another 15th century printer went into bankruptcy after printing only one or two volumes in editions of 500 copies or less. "Tortis's round, gothic type found such favor with the early Spanish printers that they copied it for several centuries under the name "letra de Tortis." The typographical problem of planning a certain amount of text to correspond exactly with related glosses complete on the same page was successfully handled in this unit." (See Donald Jackson Collection of Original Leaves: Colorado Springs, CO. 1981). Very good, folded, edge wear & tear, light soiling and staining, primarily along margins.