Vauban’s Own Copy

DU FAY, --, Monsieur l'Abbé.

Manière de Fortifier selon la Méthode de Monsieur de Vauban, avec un Traité préliminaire des Principes de Geométrie.

Woodcut printer’s vignette on title, two engraved head-pieces, one folding engraved plate with two images (sometimes divided making two plates), & numerous engravings in the text. 4 p.l., 198, [12] pp. 12mo, cont. red polished morocco, triple gilt fillet round sides, gilt fleurons in each corner, spine nicely gilt, arms in gilt of Sébastian Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban on each cover (Olivier, pl. 343), a.e.g. Paris: the Widow of J.B. Coignard & the Son of Coignard, 1693.

Second edition (1st ed.: 1689), revised, with considerable additions. This is one of the best contemporary explications of Vauban’s “first system” of fortification and siegecraft.

Vauban (1633-1707), the foremost military engineer of his age, was equally esteemed for his skill in both designing fortifications and breaking through them. Vauban approved of this work and we find on the final page of the preliminary leaves: “Ce petit Traité de Fortifications ne contient rien qui ne soit conforme à celles qui se pratiquent dans les Places du Roy. Fait à Paris le 2. Mars 1691. Vauban.”

A precious copy coming from the library of Vauban himself, with his arms in gilt on upper and lower covers. Engraved armorial bookplate of Jean-Charles de Mesgrigny (1682-1763). Preserved in a box. Light dampstaining to inner lower corner.

Price: $30,000.00

Item ID: 4936