Gerbier, Concerning Military Architecture, or Fortifications, 1648, dedication copy, contemporary calf with cipher

GERBIER, BALTHAZAR

The Interpreter of the Academie for Forrain Languages, and all Noble Sciences, and Exercises, concerning Military Architecture, or Fortifications. [No place: no publisher], 1648

4to (219 x 158mm.), THE DEDICATION COPY, engraved frontispiece and title-page ("Treatie of Fortifications"), parallel French and English text, 37 leaves of plates (of which 15 are single-sided), contemporary speckled calf gilt with "WC" cipher repeated on spine and covers, gilt edges, frontispiece laid-down to reverse of printed title-page, upper joint split at head

Sir Balthazar Gerbier (1592–1663/1667) was an art agent, miniature painter, architect, spy and author. According to William Sanderson, Gerbier 'had little of Art or merit' (Graphice, 1658) and Samuel Pepys said one of his books was 'not worth a turd' (Pepys, Diary, 28 May 1663).

In 1646 he inherited a house in Bethnal Green. As noted by Jeremy Wood in his ODNB entry, "... this enabled him to open an academy for young gentlemen, which was effectively a school for spies since the curriculum included horsemanship, foreign languages, cosmography, and the construction of military fortifications. It opened in July 1649 and closed in August 1650." It is to this academy that the title-page makes reference.

It appears that a number of publications used the Academy as part of the title. The ESTC description notes the present work as a 'variant title'. Some copies appear to be bound with The interpreter of the academie for forrain languages, and all noble sciences, and exercises. To all fathers of families and lovers of vertue... ESTC seems not to record a separate issue and the present volume may have formed part of the aforementioned title.

After the Restoration and, having received royal disdain, Gerbier turned to architecture and entered the service of William, 1st Earl of Craven. He remodelled Craven's house at Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire (destroyed in 1718) for which a number of drawings survive. William Craven, Earl of Craven (bap. 1608, d. 1697) was an army officer and royal servant. He was knighted by Charles I on 4 March 1627 and created Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall eight days later.

LITERATURE:

cf. Wing G563; ESTC R202107

PROVENANCE:

William Craven, Earl of Craven, bookplate on reverse of engraved title-page and cipher on binding