Sacrarvm Cerimoniarvm, Sive Ritvvm Ecclesiasticorvm Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Libri Tres

Rome: Valerio Dorico, 1560. CONTEMPORARY BROWN MOROCCO DECORATED BY THE RUIZ BINDER WITH A STYLISH GILT INTERLACING STRAPWORK FRAME AND CENTRAL LOZENGE (upper and lower inner corners repaired), in the middle a gilt scutcheon with THE ARMS OF POPE PIUS V IN GILT AND RED PAINT (front) AND THOSE OF HIS SECRETARY OF MEMORIALS, TEODOSIO FIORENZI, ON THE REAR, both escutcheons are belonged to the Ruiz Bindeer, a gilt fleuron in each spine compartment (crown and base repaired), evidence of eight red textile ties, all edges gilt.

            The "Papal Ceremonial...regulates the observance of the papal court, the elevation and coronation of the pope and the imperial coronation" (New Grove2). It prescribes the movements, gestures, actions, ornaments, and vestments of the officiants. This most elusive, elaborate and complex part of the liturgy was unaffected by the sweeping changes made by the Council of Trent to nearly every other type of service book. This is the only edition printed in Rome. The title woodcut suggests a papal commission.
           The first of the ceremonial's three divisions treats the formalities of the conclave for papal election, his ordination and consecration, those for the Holy Roman Emperor, the canonization of saints, the induction of members into religious knightly orders, the creation and confirmation of cardinals, templates for papal travel, the reception of foreign and domestic dignitaries and procedures for General Councils and for cardinalate funeral rites. The second portion deals with the content and execution of Sunday services and vigils throughout the year. The third section concerns clothing, incense, the washing of hands, lighting in the church, genuflection, processions, etc.
           This copy is among those bound for Pius IV to be distributed to his intimates. Appointed Segretario dei Memoriali by Pius V in 1566, Teodosio Fiorenzi examined and presented to the pope all petitions from his subjects, then replied to each according to the pontiff's instructions. In 1570 Pius V raised Fiorenzi to conte de Monte Cerno in recognition of his service, and, in 1588, Sixtus V made him Bishop of Osimo. In good condition (minor worming affecting six sorts, a dozen blank outer margins damaged from an ink spill); the early manuscript notes in the margins of a dozen leaves focus on the role of the cardinal serving as the first/leading Bishop-Assistant (cardinalis assistens) to the Papal Throne. The unrivaled Bourbon-Parma collection of liturgical formed over a century had only one Ceremonial.
¶Barberi, "I Dorici, tipografi a Roma...(1526-1572)" in Tipografi romani del '500 143; Ascarelli, Le Cinquecentine romane "Censimento delle edizioni romane del XVI secolo possedute dalle biblioteche di Roma" 92; EDIT16 CNCE 11958.