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Tensini, Francesco. La fortificatione guardia difesa et espugnatione delle fortezze. Venice, Francesco Brogliollo, 1655.Folio. 3 parts in 1 volume. [8] leaves including engraved title by Philip Sadeler, engraved author's portrait, laudatory poems, chapter index, preface to the reader, and subject index + 83 + [1 blank] + 83 + [1 blank] + 128 pages. 48 engraved plates (including 11 double-page) by Odoardo Fialetti; numerous historiated woodcut initials. Contemporary mottled calf, compartments of spine decorated in gilt, title gilt-stamped on morocco label, sides within gilt line border; tailend of spine and corners lightly worn; a few isolated wormholes. A beautifully illustrated treatise on fortification by Francesco Tensini (c1580-1630) of Cremona, a military engineer in the service of the Elector Maximilian of Bavaria. The first part treats military architecture, suitable locations, and fortification systems; in chapter 32, the author discussing a similar method described by Colonel Alexander von Groote in a book published 1617, accuses his former comrade-in-arms of plagiarism. The second and third parts deal respectively with modes of defence and attack. The distinguishing feature of this beautifully illustrated book are the exceptionally fine plates by Odoardo Fialetti (1573-1638), a pupil of Tintoretto at Venice,which are splendid examples of Venetian book art: they depict a variety of fortification systems, formations for defence and attack, siege craft, strategic calculations for artillery, and ballistic devices; many have charming mannerist scenic backdrops, some adorned with human figures in period costume on foot or on horseback, or with putti holding scientific instruments and floating from on high. The first plate bears the artist's full name with the date 1624, the year of publication of the first edition. The engraved title within a magnificent architectural border incorporating allegorical figures, engines of war and a bird's eye view of a fortress is attributed to Philip Sadeler, a Flemish artist living in Venice at the time, who may also have designed the full-page portrait of the author at the age of 44 surrounded by an elaborate border showing putti with emblems of war and a vanquished Turk in lower panel. A fresh, attractive copy with good impressions of the plates in a period binding; title very lightly shaved in top and tailend margins affecting image by a few millimetres only, and with 2 neat repairs without loss; edges of tailend blank margin of first quire with an isolated light waterstain, ffK2 & K3 of 3rd part lightly toned, a few insignificant traces of usage. An early shelf label inside front cover, and a contemporary manuscript correction in margin of page 99 of 3rd part. Breman 305; Cockle 813 (note) lists the 1624 edition as having 44 plates only; Jähns 1096 & 1098; Jordan 3744; Riccardi I, 515 & II, 5, 161; Spaulding & Karpinski 153; Thieme-Becker XI, 525. Seller Inventory # 5424
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