Errard, La fortification, Paris, 1600, contemporary vellum gilt

ERRARD, JEAN

La fortification reduicte en art et demonstree. Paris, 1600

folio (413 x 275mm.), engraved title-page, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, engraved illustrations, ruled in red, with final blank, contemporary limp vellum with gilt centrepiece, flat spine with gilt fleurs-de-lys, upper cover defective, lacking 2 pairs of ties

FIRST EDITION, RARE. This is considered the first independent French treatise on military architecture, which introduced to French readers the Italian styles of fortification with bastions and citadels. Errard worked for the Duke of Lorraine (like Appier) and later for Henri IV; part of the cost of this edition was borne by Henri. He was a practising engineer who designed several citadels for Henri.

For later editions, see lots 155-156.

LITERATURE:

not in the standard literature; cf. Cockle 802 (starting with the 1604 edition)

PROVENANCE:

Royal Military College, bookplate with HMSO sold stamp