[Rarebooks] FS: One of the earliest printed works on "military fortification" (Venice: 1543)

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(MILITARY) Valle, Battista della (or, Della Valle, Battista) VALLO, LIBRO 
CONTINENTE APPERTINENTE A CAPITANII, RETENERE & FORTIFICARE UNA CITTA CON 
BASTIONI, CON NOVI ARTIFICII DE FUOCO AGGIONTTI… Opera Molto Utile con la Esperienta 
de L’Arte Militare. (Venice: Gli Heredi di Piero Ravano & Compagni 1543). 8vo. 
ff.(8),71,(1). Complete with the final leaf, blank except for the large 
woodcut device on the verso. Title within a woodcut border illustrated with 
military scenes. Text with 21 woodcuts (many full-page) illustrating fortifications, 
weapons & machines, battle formations, etc. Modern brown morocco over marbled 
boards. Some occasional text soiling, but a very good copy.     $2,500.00 
(trade discount allowed)
Cockle #765, lists this work as the earliest printed book under the heading 
of “fortification.” He cites the earliest edition he had seen as 1524, 
although a Naples, 1521 printing is supposed to exist? No copies of this 1521 edition 
are recorded in any of the standard references. Between 1521 and 1558 at 
least 13 editions were printed of this practical handbook. Today they are all 
scarce. BL Italian STC p. 710. Not in Adams.

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