Fronsberger, Kriegsbuch, Frankfurt, 1596, limp vellum with arms of Anton Fugger

FRONSBERGER, LEONHARDT

Kriegssbuch erster (-dritter) Theil. Frankfurt: heirs of Sigmund Feyerabend, 1596

3 parts in one volume, folio (345 x 218mm.), first title printed in red and black, woodcut device on title-pages, woodcut initials and headpieces, woodcut portrait of the author, woodcut illustrations, part 1: 6 folding engraved plates; part 2: 8 folding engraved or woodcut plates; part 3: 9 engraved plates (5 folding, 4 double-page), contemporary limp vellum with the arms of Anton Fugger dated 1586, some light browning, some marginal tears and creasing, part 1: lacking O-P⁶, Q1, Aa2-6, Bb-Ee⁶, Ff⁴, one plate defective at fold and another split along fold; part 2: lacking first 3 leaves; part 3: leaves V3-4 and Y3-4 frayed and loose; sold not subject to return

Fronsberger was another advocate of the use of a civilian army rather than mercenaries. He emphasised training to promote unity among the troops, following the Roman and Swiss models. This volume also contains the text of Frontinus in German (in the translation of Marcus Tatius) and tracts about the war against the Turks, including Luther's sermon against the Turks.

For the 1555 edition, see lot 445. The woodcuts are by Jost Amman.

LITERATURE:

VD16 F 3125, 3126, 3127

PROVENANCE:

Anton Fugger (1563-1616, the son of Marx Fugger), arms on binding; purchased from Sotheran's, December 1936