Bossi, Giuliano. Breve trattato d'alcune inventioni, che sono state fatte per rinforzare, e radoppiare, li tiri de gli archibugi e moschetti [...].

Antwerp, Hieronymus Verdussen, 1626.

12mo. (16), 120 pp. With engraved portrait frontispiece and one engraved plate. Contemporary giltstamped full vellum with handwritten spine-title (faded). All edges gilt.

 800.00

Exceedingly rare second edition of this short treatise on the manufacture of firearms and powder, as well as on archery, merely differing from the 1625 first edition in the date on the title-page. Bingen therefore considers it "another issue" of the 1625 edition, noting that the single copy mentioned by Michel could not be obtained. The frontispiece shows the Spanish Infant Isabella Clara Eugenia; the engraved plate shows two crossed firearms and a sword surmounted by a female figure.

Binding slightly brownstained; small tear to lower cover. Paper evenly browned throughout. Provenance: With armorial bookplate of the bibliophile Marcantonio Borghese (1814-86), Prince of Sulmona, to pastedown, as well as bookplate of Mark Dineley to flyleaf. Near contemporary handwritten inscription, dated 1694, to verso of flyleaf; the same handwriting in the lower margin of the printed dedication and to lower pastedown. Last in the collection of Thomas Fremantle, 3rd Baron Cottesloe (1862-1956), commander of the Territorial Army and president of the Society for Army History Research.

Not a single copy of this second edition traced in auction records or libraries worldwide.

References

Bingen, Philosaune 149. Mazzuchelli II, 1845. Michel I, 200. Michel 2, II, 328. Cf. Cockle 840. Ayala 139. Graesse I, 108 (1625 edition).

Stock Code: BN#51086 Tags: ,