Gaya, A Treatise of the Arms and Engines of War, London, 1678, calf

GAYA, LOUIS DE

A Treatise of the Arms and Engines of War, of Fire-works, Ensigns, and Military Instruments, both Ancient and Modern... inscribed with many figures... London: for Robert Harford, 1678

FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, 8vo (152 x 91mm.), 20 leaves of plates (together with a few other folding plates inserted later), eighteenth-century calf, spines cracked, some headlines cut close, worn at edges

The rare first English translation of this important French military treatise by Louis de Gaya (see lot 233), with possibly the first mention of the word "rifle" in the English language. This occurs on p.20 ("The Mousqueton is not so long as the Fusil or Fire-Lock; nor does it by a third part carry so far, unless the Barrel be screwed and rifled..."), with further references on p.22 and p.23.

LITERATURE:

Wing G402A, listing only 2 copies in the UK, and 5 in the US

PROVENANCE:

Joseph Haslewood (1769-1833), bibliographer and antiquary, co-founder of the Roxburghe Club, armorial gilt book-stamp; John Knott, ownership signature dated 6 May 1881, on front endpaper; James Tregaskis, typed catalogue description loosely inserted; Dr F.H. Kelly of Hurstpierpoint, Sussex; [given to:] Col. Thomas Sutton OBE; [given to:] Lord Cottesloe (recorded in turquoise ink in Sutton's hand on lower endpaper)

A typed letter signed by Sutton to Lord Cottesloe dated 13 March 1962, accompanying the gift of this volume, is loosely inserted.