2 parts in 1 very small volume in-12 (11.5 x 8 cm), full vellum of the time (skillfully restored, small losses of skin on the headcaps), renewed covers and guards, scattered waterstains at the beginning and end of the volume (upper corner). – First part: 186 pp. (including the title-frontispiece, the title, privilege, dedicatory epistle to Monseigneur François de L’Aubespine Marquis de Hauterive et de Ruffec Colonel of the French troops in Holland, preface containing several pieces of knowledge necessary for all persons who make a profession of arms, the treatise on fortifications providing practices for making strongholds). Follows: the table necessary for understanding the plates & figures included in this treatise (3 ff. not numbered). – Second part: title frontispiece, followed by 109 plates (including 3 tables), all numbered 1-110.All the plates are divided into 8 parts:
The first contains several places estimated for their situation such as those which are built in the sea, or in rivers, marshy places (Mont St Michel, Sestos, Abydos, Callipolis, the fort of Sequin, Lierot, Brescia…).
The second the places estimated for their regular fortification (Juliers, Bourtange in Friesland, Grolle in Friesland, Darne near Bruges, Couvorde in Friesland…).
The third: irregular places (the Sas de Gand, Breda, Gomone in Hungary, Guenep, Berg op Zoom, Burric on the Rhine, Bapaume, the Mole de Ligourne, Raveslin on the Meuse, Arras, Crève-Coeur on the Meuse…).
The fourth contains 3 tables of proportions.
The fifth gives the sections & elevations of the royal places and forts.
The sixth: fortified works both for their plan and perspective.
The seventh shows everything that is necessary to build a place and lead the work from the foundations to the parapet.
The eighth and last provides various fortifications with the avenues, entrances and doors.
The author (1595-1652) born in Caen, Jesuit, geographer, hydrographer and famous mathematician published the hydrography containing the theory and practice of all parts of navigation considered as the first French maritime encyclopedia, works of Euclidean geometry and others making him an authentic scholar. Copies at California State Univ., Oxford and Cambridge. Good complete copy of all the engraved plates.
Offered by Librairie Michel Morisset
$3000
To purchase, contact mm@librairiemichelmorisset.com
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