Busca, Della espugnatione, Turin, 1585; Architettura militare, Milan, 1619, 2 volumes

BUSCA, GABRIELLO

Two volumes on military architecture, comprising:

i. Della espugnatione, et difesa delle fortezze. Turin: heirs of Niccolò Bevilacqua, 1585, 4to, FIRST EDITION, woodcut armorial on title-page, woodcut initials and headpieces, 9 (of 10) double-page woodcuts, later calf, spine gilt in compartments, with an additional facsimile title-page, title-page supplied from another copy and slightly worn, lacking one woodcut (at pp.128-129), a few plates with ink marks, occasional light staining

ii. L'architettura militare... del modo di fortificare luochi deboli, cinger Cittadi, fabricar fortezze, cosi al monte, come alla pianura... Milan: Giovanni Battista Bidelli, 1619, 4to, engraved device on title-page, woodcut initials and headpieces, 9 woodcut plates (6 folding), woodcut diagrams, later Italian half calf over patterned paper boards, probably lacking 2 plates, inscription washed from foot of title-page, occasional light staining

together 2 volumes

Busca was a military architect and skilled bombardier working for the Duke of Savoy. See lot 317 for another edition of the second work.

LITERATURE:

1st work: Cockle 785; Edit16 7987; cf. Mortimer, Harvard Italian 93 (1598 edition); 2nd work: Cockle 811; USTC 4028814

PROVENANCE:

1st work: Ex libris Cesari Roche Sal[--] 1666, inscription on (supplied) title-page