A Treatise of Artillery: or, of the Arms and Machines used in War since the Invention of Gunpowder. Being the first part of Le Blondís Elements of War: Written in French by that eminent Mathematician, for the Use of Lewis Charles of Lorraine, Count de Brionne, and publishíd for the Instruction of the young Gentlemen in the Armies of France. Illustrated with above Fifty Representations, beautifully engraved on Copper Plates. With Remarks, and Explanatory Notes.

First edition, 4to (225 x 170 mm), [12], 118 [1.e. 134], [2]pp., with final advert leaf, pp. 129-134 misnumbered 113-118, engraved head-pieces, 15 fine engraved folding plates, text and plates nice clean and bright, turn-ins offset onto endpapers, cont. calf, slight rubbing to lower outer corner of upper board, rebacked, red morocco spine label, a very nice copy. Originally written in French by that eminent mathematician, for the use of Lewis Charles of Lorraine, Count de Brionne, and published for the introduction of the young gentlemen in the armies of France. It was regarded as a standard reference on the continent, Covering much the same field as Muller and Rudyerd in the period just prior to the French and Indian Wars. The final advert leaf announces further translations of M. Le Blondís two other treatises The Attack and of the Defence of Fortified Places and Universal Military Dictionary are in the press and were to be published as part II and III. However, only the Attack was to appear in 1748. Both works are rare, of this Treatise of Artillery ESTC gives 3 locations in the UK and 5 in North America, and of the Attack just 2 locations are given. Provenance: From the library Military Library of Thomas Francis Fremantle (3rd Lord Cottesloe).