[Rarebooks] FS: The first printed title on fortifications. (Venice: 1543).

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(MILITARY) Valle, Battista della (or, Della Valle, Battista) VALLO, LIBRO CONTINENTE APPERTIN-ENTE A CAPITANII, RETENERE & FORTIFICARE UNA CITTA CON BASTIONI, CON NOVI ARTI-FICII 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 illus. 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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