POLIORCETICS. ARCHITECTURAL PLANS. MARCHI (Francesco). Della - Lot 120

POLIORCETICS. ARCHITECTURAL PLANS. MARCHI (Francesco). Della architettura militare, del capitanio Francesco De' Marchi bolognese, gentil'huomo romano, libri tre. In Brescia, appresso Comino Presegni, ad instanza di Gasparo dall'Oglio, 1599. In-folio, [6] ff. 279 ff. 161pl. 16 p. (of 22). Contemporary red morocco, 6-rib spine, ornate caissons, gilt framing on covers, gilt and chased edges. First edition of this magnificent Italian work on 16th-century military architecture by Francesco De' Marchi of Bologna. Superb etchings. Undated additional title with woodcut Gonzaga arms and dedication to Vincenzo Gonzaga (1562-1612), engraved passe-partout, printer's mark on title, woodcut ornaments. In a fine 17th-century red morocco, probably Italian. It consists of three books adorned with 161 magnificent etchings engraved on 157 copper plates - conforming to the Harvard copy donated by the Getty - pl. CXXXVII-CXLIIII appear two per plate, plates 155 to 161 are unnumbered. 107 of these plates are on double pages, while 92 and 113 appear to be lacking. Following: "Libro quarto". 16 pages (out of 22) for the fourth book, the title of which makes no mention. It is in fact an addendum on artillery manufacture. This document is considered "the most complete study of the state of military architecture in the second half of the 16th century" (H. de La Croix, The Literature of Fortification in Renaissance Italy, 42). An experienced artillerist and engineer, De' Marchi wrote this text between 1542 and 1565, but it was only published posthumously. Vauban used many of his plans and ideas. Worn binding, dampstaining, spine slightly split, marginal flaws including wormholes and small tears. Some oxidation.