Papal Bull.- Pope Paulus IIII (born Gian Pietro Carafa)

Capitula observanda per aromatarios, Alma Urbis Romae, et eorum Collegium, FIRST EDITION, 8 leaves, title within elaborate woodcut border with allegories and the coat-of-arm of Pope Paulus IIII, woodcut historiated initial, a little marginal dampstaining, contemporary wrappers, [Durling 888; Bibliotheca Butleriana n. 456; Bernoni Catalogo delle edizioni romane di Antonio Blado Asolano ed eredi (1516-1593), 358; Fumagalli Catalogo delle edizioni romane di Antonio Blado Asolano ed eredi (1516-1593) n. 206 (for the 1578 edition)], 4to, Antonio Blado, Rome, 1557.

***Papal bull, ‘Motu proprio’, meaning that the document includes decisions taken by the pope personally. The first papal bull on the subject was issued by Clemens VII in 1534 and subsequently updated by the following popes. It concerns the regulations, duties and professional behaviour of the roman apothecaries. A ‘Tavola delli prezzi delle spetiarie fatta per li deputati sopra eletti 1558’ (Price table of the products sold by the apothecaries, written by the deputies elected for 1558) is also included, according to the decision of an appointed board of deputies, chosen each year in order to establish the prices to apply the following year (thus the prices for 1558 in this publication of 1557). Early (first ?) printed price list of this kind.