Norton, The Gunner, London, 1628, contemporary mottled calf

NORTON, ROBERT

The gunner shewing the whole practise of artillerie: with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging. Together with the making of extra-ordinary artificiall fireworkes, as well for pleasure and triumphes... London: A.M. for Humphrey Robinson, 1628

FIRST EDITION, folio (281 x 181mm.), title within woodcut border, woodcut initials and headpieces, woodcut illustrations, 35 engraved plates (12 folding), some further illustrations in the text, contemporary mottled calf, spine worn and rubbed and partially cracked, a few tiny holes to some leaves, some slight browning and spotting, a few plates cut close or slightly shaved at outer edge

Norton was a gunner in royal service and became engineer of the Tower of London in 1627. He wrote several other mathematical works, including a translation of a work by Simon Stevin. The plates are taken from a French and/or German edition of Ufano's Tratado de la artileria, although Norton claimed that this work was an adaptation rather than a translation of Ufano's work.

LITERATURE:

STC 18673; ESTC S115254; Cockle 114; Riling 100; Spaulding & Karpinski 116

PROVENANCE:

West Dean Library, nr. Chichester, Sussex, bookplate, i.e. Caroline Mary Vernon Harcourt (1785-1871), owner of West Dean House, bequeathed to Ulick de Burgh, 1st Marquess of Clanricarde, sale, Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge, [?1870s]; Thomas Francis Fremantle, armorial bookplate, purchased from Pickering & Chatto, 6 March 19001, £5-15s