De La Charge Des Govvernevrs Des Places.
Paris, M. Guillemot 1639.
Folio (305 x 197 mm.). Etched title of officers and fortifications (Hier. David), [x], 292, [8]p. and ONE FULL-PAGE ETCHED PLATE AND SIX-FULL-PAGE TEXT ETCHINGS with multiple fortification plans outlined above the landscape for which they are most appropriate (mountains, rivers, ports, towns, villages…).
Contemporary French gilt-ruled calf with the arms of Léonor d’Estampes de Valençay (1589-1651) Archbishop of Reims (Olivier-Hermal-Roton 1663,3 var.; front hinge partially cracked, minor defects), spine compartments with gilt corner-and-center decoration, gilt-lettered red morocco label, edges sprinkled red and brown.
First Edition of this comprehensive treatise on warfare with an emphasis on temporary and permanent defensive architecture.
It also covers portable firearms, troop formations and exercises, cryptography, the military characters of the English, Flemish, Germans and Italians, provisions and provisioners, explosives, artillery, wagon-trains, siege equipment, treason, medicines, glass cutting, mathematical instruments, depots of all sorts, pay, discipline, bivouacs, espionage, cavalry, drunkenness…. Ville (Deville) devotes space to the attributes and temperament of a successful leader, and he demonstrates a keen understanding of the psychology of command. It had six more editions in French, German and Spanish translation to 1708 (all small format). In good condition.
¶Jähns, Geschichte der Kriegswissenschaft 1132-5; Jordan, Bibliographie zur Geschichte des Festungbaues 3950; Cockle, A Bibliography of…Military Books 830; Marini, Biblioteca…di fortificazione 77 “excellent treatise” (tr.); Sloos, Warfare & the Age of Printing 08023; IFF 17e III: 373,253 (“1629” in error).
Price: $3,400.00