99 pp. 8vo, attractive antique calf-backed paste-paper boards, spine gilt, red morocco lettering-piece on spine. Paris: Joullain, 1778.

The uncommon sale catalogue, fully priced throughout and with buyers’ names, of a noteworthy collection devoted primarily to Italian art and sculpture. Bourlat de Montredon (d. 1777), was an influential amateur and collector who resided in Constantinople for forty years.

The catalogue thoroughly describes 695 lots, many of which are composed of numerous items. Lots 579-671 are Bourlat de Montredon’s impressive group of books of prints, mostly focused on the architecture and decorative arts of Italy, including a number of works by Piranesi. The descriptions... More about Catalogue d’une belle Collection de Tableaux, Dessins, Estampes, Sculptures en Terre cuite...

Engraved vignette on title, 19 finely engraved plates (some folding), one engraved headpiece & several woodcut diagrams in the text. 12, 116, 120, [2] pp. Large 4to (245 x 210 mm.), cont. paste-paper boards (slightly worn), red morocco lettering-piece on spine. Frankenthal & Mannheim: C.F. Schwan, 1779.

First edition of an uncommon history and examination of ancient warfare with a series of illustrations of formations, famous battles, and many types of siege craft. Baumgärtner (1743-1809), historian of classical Greece and Rome and civil servant, wrote several works on ancient art in addition to military history.

In this book, he expounds on and compares the military traditions of the Greeks and Romans. He exhaustively describes their tactics, formations, uniforms and their iconography, weapons, siege techniques, siege weapons, etc. There is also in-depth discussion of military leaders and what made them successful. The illustrations of battles, such as the one showing a phalanx (pl. XI), are quite dramatic. More about Vollständige Sammlung aller Kriegsschriftsteller der Griechen, sowohl strategischen als...

Title within finely engraved & elaborate architectural border and 27 engraved plates (four double-page or folding). Collation as in Mortimer: “four preliminary leaves, one additional leaf of printed text (leaf [32]), & 27 engraved plates on leaves 5-31, 33-36.” Large folio, cont. speckled calf (joints a little cracked but strong), double gilt fillet round sides, spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. From the second leaf: “Roma, In Casa Nostra,” 1559.

Fifth edition (1st ed.: 1552) of this important work in the study of classical architecture and one of the earliest architectural treatises illustrated with copper plates, in place of woodcuts and printed text. The... More about Libro d’Antonio Labacco appartenente a l’Architettura nel qual si figurano alcune notabili...

1 p.l., 74 pp. Small 8vo, attractive modern paste-paper boards. Stockholm: C. Delen, 1806.

The first catalogue of the collections of the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts, founded by Gustavus III in 1773, including the library and works of arts. The library contained some 600 titles covering architecture, the fine arts, aesthetics, gardening, archaeology, perspective, etc, and included many scarce English works by Chambers, Batty Langley, Moxon, Malton, Halfpenny, Robert Morris, etc. The contents of tract volumes are listed in full.

Fine copy and rare. More about Förteckning på Kgl. Målare- och Bildhuggare-Akademiens samlingar af Böcker, Estamper,...