COTTA (Catelliano). Statuta Mediol.i cum appostillis clarissimi viri jureconsulti Mediolanensis domini Catelliani Cottæ in meliorem formam, quam antehac typis excusa. Quibus deinde copiosus adiectus est elenchus, una cum annotationibus quibusdam ad ipsa statuta maxime facientibus, an egregio jurecon D. Antonio Rubeo nunc primum in lucem æditus. Mediolani [Milan]: Giovanni Antonio Castiglione, Giovanni Battista & fratelli Serono, 1552. - 2 parts in one in-folio volume, 310 x 215 : (78 ff.), 162 ff. ill-foliated 161 ; (2 ff.), 164 ff. Stiff parchment, smooth spine, speckled edges (18th-century binding). Rare first edition of the Statutes of the City of Milan with commentaries by Milanese jurist Catelliano Cotta (1484-1553), augmented by an index and notes, also appearing for the first time, by Italian jurisconsult Giovanni Antonio De Rossi (1489-1544). Cotta's commentaries are invaluable as they provide detailed explanations of the application and interpretation of local laws in the 16th century. He addresses issues of civil, commercial and criminal law, as well as various aspects of daily life, such as trade and relations between the different social classes in town. The title features a handsome Renaissance woodcut frame. A copy in 18th-century Italian binding, enriched with numerous handwritten notes from the period, by one or two different hands, sometimes covering almost all the margins. The most extensive notes appear around the beginning of the chapter devoted to the solemnities to be observed in the alienations and obligations of women, on folio 106 verso. Soiling around boards and spine. Title soiled, stained and restored in the inner margin, as well as the second leaf, title frame slightly cut at the head. Staining and some soiling to first and last leaves. Non-textual wormholes in the inner margin of leaves 126 to 164 in the second part, and reddish stains on leaves 132 to 139 in the same part. Provenance: 18th-century Italian library label on first flyleaf. - Label of the Italian bookshop Pedone-Lauriel et compagnie in Paris.