Smith, The Art of Gunnery, London, 1600, contemporary vellum

SMITH, THOMAS

The arte of gunnerie. Wherein is set foorth a number of serviceable secrets, and practical conclusions, belonging to the art of gunnerie, by arithmeticke skill to be accomplished... London: William Ponsonby, 1600 [1601]

FIRST EDITION, 4to (188 x 148mm.), woodcut device on title, two folding plates, woodcut illustrations, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, contemporary vellum, some slight oil and damp-staining, slight staining to covers

THE RARE FIRST EDITION OF THIS WORK BY THE SOLDIER AND AUTHOR THOMAS SMITH, OF BERWICK UPON TWEED.

The author claims to have been "brought up from my childehood under a valiant Captaine in Military profession", although there is no evidence he actually ever saw military action, despite the fragile peace which then existed on the Anglo-Scottish border prior to 1603. In 1601 Smith published Certaine Additions to the Booke of Gunnery, with a Supplie of Fire-Workes (incendiary devices) which was more suited to the active soldier; in 1628 and in 1643 the two books were reissued in one volume with the overall title The Complete Souldier. Smith and Robert Norton (see lot 344) were both influential writers on artillery (see also lot 227).

LITERATURE:

ESTC S116363; STC 22855; Cockle 73