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BLONDEL [François] L'Art de jetter les bombes.Paris, François Le Cointe for the author & Nicolas Langlois, 1683. 4to. Engraved title + [4]f + 445p + [9]f including errata leaf. Title with vignette of a bomb about to explode with descriptive legend, over 130 diagrams and textual engravings (22 full-page), 10 tables (4 full-page), attractive vignette at each of the four chapter headings, ornamental floral tail-pieces throughout. Contemporary marbled calf, spine richly gilt. The rare first edition of this seminal artillery handbook based on Galilei's doctrine of a trajectory as a parabola, and the earliest application of this theory to military science. Arranged in four parts, the book begins with a general discussion of the theories advocated by Galilei, Tartaglia, Ufano, Collado, Rivaut de Flurance, Siemienowski, Elrich and Cassini. The second part describes a number of instruments and sinus tables to facilitate the task of the bombardier. The third part is devoted to trajectory theory, and the final section addresses practical problems in the application of these theories. Blondel, an architect and military engineer, was quartermaster general, inspector of public works in Paris, and tutor to the Dauphin. He also taught mathematics at the French Academy of Sciences. His manuscript was presented to Louis XIV in 1675, but publication was delayed for eight years for fear it might profit the enemy. It served as the basic text for the newly formed French Bombardier Company, and was often re-printed and translated. The fine engraved illustrations are by Jean-Baptiste Broebes, engraver and architect, a pupil of Jean Marot (cf.Thieme-Becker V: 44); the frontispiece and 2 plates are signed by him. A tall, well preserved copy; edges of tailend blank margins of last quire with isolated light waterstain. An 18th century manuscript note in blank title margin states that this book was donated by brigadier Filippi to the Capuchin library at Racconiggi in 1775. Jähns 1240-1242; Riling 180; Spaulding & Karpinski 187; Goldsmith (1203) lists an 1685 imprint as the earliest edition held by the British Library; Kiely, Surveying Instruments, 113; Lipperheide (Ra3) lists 1699 edition giving date of first edition in error as 1689. Seller Inventory # 5278
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