Collection of unrecorded juridical dissertations that mark the return of law at Mainz University

Franz Christoph Anton Pfister [candidate]; Johann Gottfried Schweickardt (before 1713 - after 1738) [chair].

1) Disputatio prima privati juris collegii continens paratitla libri primi Institutionum Imperialium, quam in alma electorali Universitate Moguntina sub praesidio nobilis clarissimi & consultissimi domini D. Joannis Godefridi Schweickardt, juris utriusque licentiati, ejusdemque in praefatâ Universitate Professoris extraordinarii, nec non supremae theologicae laureae candidati, excercitii gratiâ publicè propugnabit Franciscus Christophorus Antonius Pfister Bambergensis jurium auditor. In Collegio Schenckenbergico sub horam octavam mane, die Junii, Anno 1723.
Mainz, Johan Georg Haffner, [1723]. 4°. [4], 68, [2] pp. With woodcut head- and tailpieces.

[WITH:]

Friedrich Wilhelm Rüding [candidate]; Johann Gottfried Schweickardt (before 1713 - after 1738) [chair].
2) Disputatio secunda [...] publici exercitii causa propugnandam suscepit Fridericus Wilhelmus Rüding Mogonus, juris utriusq; auditor. In Collegio Schenckenbergico mane hora octava die prima Septembris anno 1724.
Mainz, Johan Georg Haffner, [1724]. 4°. [4], 82, [4] pp. With woodcut head- and tailpieces.

[WITH:]

Johann Michael Ferdinand Barth [candidate]; Johann Gottfried Schweickardt (before 1713 - after 1738) [chair].
3) Disputatio tertia [...] exercitii gratia publice propugnandam suscepit Joan. Michael Ferdinandus Barth Lohranus, jurium auditor. In Collegio Schenckenbergico mane sub horam octavam die 18. Septembr. Anno 1724.
Mainz, Johan Georg Haffner, [1724]. 4°. [4], 67, [1 blank], [4] pp. With woodcut head- and tailpieces.

[WITH:]

Johann Heinrich Götz [candidate]; Johann Gottfried Schweickardt (before 1713 - after 1738) [chair].
4) Disputatio quarta [...] exercitii gratia publicepropugnabit Joannes Henricus Götz Altavillanus, jurium auditor. In Collegio Schenckenbergico, mane horâ octavâ die 20. Septembr. Anno 1724.
Mainz, Johan Georg Haffner, [1724]. 4°. [4], 45, [1 blank], [3], [1 blank] pp. With woodcut head- and tailpieces.

Contemporary "Dutch gilt" decorated paper boards, red sprinkled sides. Printed with very wide margins.

Complete collection of four consecutive first edition juridical dissertations from the University of Mainz, all chaired by private law professor Johann Gottfried Schweickardt. Each individual dissertation treats a broad subject. The first work, by Franz Christoph Anton Pfister, is a reflexion on the Institutionum Imperialium itself and the question is asked what the purpose of the institution is. The author explains the different kinds of law that fall under the institution and continues to go deeper into the matter of testamentary succession. The second dissertation is on property law, this was written by Friedrich Wilhelm Rüding. The third work, written by Johann Michael Ferdinand Barth, deals with inheritance law and the fourth is on the Law of obligations, by Johann Heinrich Götz.
The 18th century was a transitional period from decline to prosperity for the Mainz University. The Jesuits were the dominant faction of the university until the beginning of the 18th century. They mainly focused on the philosophy and theological faculties, while law and medicine were neglected and the number of students in the two faculties declined. . Lessons were mainly designed in such a way that the lecturer dictated at the front of the desk and the students copied the words. The stagnation of teaching and the insistence on a strictly old church curriculum also led to a bad reputation for the University of Mainz. She was known at the time for producing civil servants, teachers, and pastors, but not outstanding scholars. At the beginning of the 18th century the influence of the Jesuits waned and the faculty of Law was reinvigorated.  The present collection of dissertations might be a key work in this process, based on the broad subjects of the present four works, especially of the first. In 1704 there were only eight lawyers at the university. The authors of the present four dissertations would be added to that total. 
All four dissertations are very rare, none are in VD18. A few copies are located in libraries worldwide: ad. 1: 1 copy in the Stadtbibliothek Mainz, ad. 2: 1 copy in the National Library of Scotland, ad. 3: no copy located anywhere, ad. 4: 2 copies, in Fulda and Mainz. The succession of the numbering of the dissertations from 1 to 4 suggests that this collections is complete.

Condition: owner's inscription on first free endpaper "Frau Landrostin von Drost". New spine with floral motif and bits of old spine pasted on, painted over with red paint. Otherwise in very good condition.

Reference: ad 4 only: Lipenius, Bibliotheca realis juridica, Suppl. II, 230. Seibertz, Westfälische Beiträge zur deutschen Geschichte, II, 130.