Furttenbach, Halinitro-pyrobologia, 1627; Architectura universalis, 1635; Buchsenmeisterey-Schul, 1643, vellum

FURTTENBACH, JOSEPH

A collection of three works in one volume, comprising:

i. Halinitro-Pyrobolia. Beschreibung Einer newen Büchsenmeisterey. Ulm: Jonas Saur, 1627, additional engraved title-page (with small hole), title printed in red and black, woodcut initials and headpieces, 44 double-page engraved plates, first 2 leaves detached

ii. Architectura universalis. Das ist, von Kriegs Statt- und Wasser Gebäwen. Ulm: Johann Sebastian Meder, 1635, title printed in red and black, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, folding engraved portrait of the author, 61 double-page or folding plates

iii. Büchenmeisterey-Schul. Augsburg: Johann Schultes, 1643, title printed in red and black, additional folding engraved title-page, folding engraved portrait of the author, engraved portrait of Bertold Schwartz, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, 44 engraved plates

3 works in one volume, folio (310 x 207mm.), contemporary vellum over thin wooden boards, a few small tears to plates, occasional light damp-staining, edges slightly defective

Furttenbach had spent the years 1608-1620 travelling around Italy, and he learned about fireworks in Genoa where there was a guild of firework masters. On his return to Ulm, he published numerous works on various aspects of architecture (domestic, military and naval) which introduced Italian designs to his German readers.

The third work is a reissue with a different title of Halinitro-Pyrobolia, his treatise on fireworks, and it contains the same plates. For another copy of the first work, see lot 199, and for other works by Furttenbach, see lots 200-202.

LITERATURE:

Cockle 692 & VD17 23:270319A, 23:270228U & 23:230397Z

PROVENANCE:

Lord Cottesloe bought copies of Furttenbach from Pickering & Chatto on 14 November 1901 for £3-3s and on 7 February 1905 for £1-10s, then in December 1936 he exchanged these for 3 volumes of Furttenbach from Sotheran's.