Memoires d'Artillerie by SAINT REMY, Pierre Surirey de

Finely engraved allegorical frontis. incorporating a port. of Louis Auguste de Bourbon, the dedicatee, 179 engraved plates (many folding), & six folding engraved tables. Engraved arms on titles & several engraved headpieces. 10 p.l., 348 pp.; 3 p.l., 386 pp. Two vols. Large 4to, cont. fine red sheep, gilt fillet round sides, spines gilt, contrasting vellum lettering pieces on spines, a.e.g. Paris: J. Anisson, 1697. First edition of the classic French work of the period on artillery, which served several generations of artillery officers, including the young Napoleon. This richly illustrated work went through several later French editions (1702, 1741, 1745) and was translated into Russian (1732-33). Portions were translated into English in 1756. The plates were mainly executed by P. le Pautre after E. Fourier. Saint-Remy (ca. 1650-1716), was one of the chief artillery officers of the French army. In this comprehensive work, the author describes the manufacture of cannons of various sizes and types, the production of gunpowder and cannonballs, techniques of mounting cannon on carriages and on ships, proper organization and distribution of matériel for the batteries, proper positioning of the guns, ranging, tactics, attack, defense, etc., etc. The fine plates depict cannons and cannonballs, forges, carriages, methods of destroying mines and underground tunnels. A very fine and handsome set. Armorial bookplate of Comte du Kellerc.