- All plates w. a former vertical fold; occas. trifle/ sl. foxed and w. some tiny ruststains. Binding sl. scuffed.
= The first French edition of the famous manual on how to handle muskets and pikes by Jacob de Gheyn (1565-1629). For the complex history of publication of the various Dutch, German, English, French and Danish editions in the years 1607-1608, see the catalogue Le héraut du dix-septième siècle. Dessins et gravures de Jacques de Gheyn II et III, no.37 (Paris, Institut Néerlandais, 1985, with literature). See also F.M. 1117; Jähns p. 1005-1007; Cockle 79 (other editions); Hollstein 3b, 346-457; Cicognara 1659. The work is also of great importance for costume history, given the fact that all the 117 figures are depicted full length (Hiler p.377; Lipperheide Qb18 (ed. The Hague, 1607)).
BOUND WITH: Breen, A. (Maniement d'Armes de Nassau, avecq Rondelles, Picques, Espees et Targes). (Ibid., n.publ., 1618), engr. title, (8)p., 34 and 16 engr. plates.
- Unfinished engr. title w. contemp.(?) ms. additions (proof?); leaf C1 w. printed overslip.
= The first French edition of the extremely rare COMPLETE series of plates by A. van Breen, showing how to hold shields, pikes and rapiers. The first Dutch edition was published in the same year. F.M. 1116; Lipperheide Qb 33. SEE ILLUSTRATION PLATE CXXX.