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Folio (318 x 210 mm). 40 unnumbered leaves (of which 10 folding), woodcut printer's device on title-page and final leaf h6 verso, 21 woodcut illustrations and diagrams, historiated initials, errata on h5v. Signatures: a6 b4 c4+chi1 d4 e6 f4+chi1 g4 h6, with extensions to b1, b4, c2, d1, d4, f2, g2, g4, h2 and h4. b4 bound before b3. Long clean tear in d4 without loss, c3 finger soliled, closed worm hole at head of final 16 leaves affecting one to three letters of headlines on 9 leaves, final 6 leaves with brown staining at top margin, otherwise very fresh, crisp and clean. Bound in its first, contemporary limp vellum, spine ink lettered, original laces gone, re-sprinkled edges, new endpapers (vellum somewhat soiled and spotted). A very good, tall copy. ---- FIRST LATIN EDITION of Albrecht Dürer's important work on fortification, translated from the original German edition (Ettliche Unterricht zu Befestigung der Stett) of 1527 by Joachim Camerarius. "Dürer is the earliest writer on the modern science of fortification" (Cockle). This work was probably created under the impression of the threat to Central Europe by the Turks and is the first systematic work on the art of fortifications of cities, castles and market-places, taking fire artillery into account. Literature and references: STC 143; Adams D 1056; Cockle 766 (rem.); Panzer VIII, I88, 2476; Berliner Ornamentstich-Kat. 3507; Meder 287; Bohatta 16a; Mortimer, French books, 184; Shaaber 319; Brunet II, 913f; Singer A36. - Visit our website to see more images!. Seller Inventory # 003637
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