Lot 4
  • 4

Aelianus, Tacticus

Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 USD
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Description

  • The Tactiks of Aelian Or Art of Embattailing an Army after ye Grecian Manner Englished & Illustrated w[i]th Figures throughout & Notes upon ye Chapters ... by J[ohn]. B[ingham]. London: [printed at Eliot's Court Press] for Laurence Lisle & are to be sold at his shoppe at ye signe of the Tigers head in Paules Churche yard, 1616
  • paper
Small folio (11 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 300 x 194 mm). Engraved architectural title by Aegius Gelius of Woudrichem in Holland, 42 (of 50) mostly folding engraved plates of various sizes, woodcut headpieces and decorative initials; title soiled, some marginal soiling and spotting, small inkspot and consequent erosion in fore-margin of first three quires, marginal tear in leaf I6 mended without loss, a few clean tears in plates neatly mended, dampstain in upper outer corner of a few leaves near the end. Contemporary blind-ruled calf, edges sprinkled red; rebacked, endpapers renewed, corners mended.

Provenance

Thomas Morton (contemporary signature in upper margin of dedication page) — Arthur Dillon of Ditchley Park (engraved armorial bookplate). acquisition: Bent Juel-Jensen,  2007

Literature

STC 161.5; ESTC S106816

Condition

title soiled, some marginal soiling and spotting, small inkspot and consequent erosion in fore-margin of first three quires, marginal tear in leaf I6 mended without loss, a few clean tears in plates neatly mended, dampstain in upper outer corner of a few leaves near the end. Contemporary blind-ruled calf; rebacked, corners mended.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

A handbook of Macedonian drill and tactics as practiced by the Hellenistic successors of Alexander the Great.  Aelian provides a critical account of preceding works on the art of war and full technical details in matters of drill, of the highest value to sixteenth-century armies.