Traité des armes, The Hague, Pierre de Hondt, 1737
First Edition of Girard's (Pierre Jacques Francois) work. An important practical treatise on fencing, designed for the instruction of French army officers, illustrating numerous duelling techniques with individual weapons, from sword to sabre, bayonet to grenades, lending insight into eighteenth-century military reform and attempts to standardise combat.
According to Castle "the most splendid work on fencing, with the exception of Angelo's, that ever appeared since Thibaust's ponderous folio". Girard's work, important among fencing works, is also notable for recording recent innovations regarding the theory of the small sword. Pardoel 392; Thimms pp. 116-7.
Ex-libris lithographed by Angelo Beccaria. Blazon with Doria weapons: "Coupé d'or and silver with the crowned sand eagle, beaked and chopped with mouths", surmounted by a crown of marquis. For Doria di Montaldeo, David, 1830-1908. Count then Marquess of Montaldeo in 1897
Oblong 4to, (210 x 280mm). Engraved title-page dated 1736, title-page dated 1737, portrait of the author, dedication, 116 numbered engraved plates (slightly browned). Contemporary leather binding, spine gilt, title-piece gilt to spine, marbled endpapers (defects and some wear). Aristocratic arms stamped to title-page and smaller arms stamped to margin of some plates.
First Edition of Girard's (Pierre Jacques Francois) work. An important practical treatise on fencing, designed for the instruction of French army officers, illustrating numerous duelling techniques with individual weapons, from sword to sabre, bayonet to grenades, lending insight into eighteenth-century military reform and attempts to standardise combat.
According to Castle "the most splendid work on fencing, with the exception of Angelo's, that ever appeared since Thibaust's ponderous folio". Girard's work, important among fencing works, is also notable for recording recent innovations regarding the theory of the small sword. Pardoel 392; Thimms pp. 116-7.
Ex-libris lithographed by Angelo Beccaria. Blazon with Doria weapons: "Coupé d'or and silver with the crowned sand eagle, beaked and chopped with mouths", surmounted by a crown of marquis. For Doria di Montaldeo, David, 1830-1908. Count then Marquess of Montaldeo in 1897
Oblong 4to, (210 x 280mm). Engraved title-page dated 1736, title-page dated 1737, portrait of the author, dedication, 116 numbered engraved plates (slightly browned). Contemporary leather binding, spine gilt, title-piece gilt to spine, marbled endpapers (defects and some wear). Aristocratic arms stamped to title-page and smaller arms stamped to margin of some plates.
First Edition of Girard's (Pierre Jacques Francois) work. An important practical treatise on fencing, designed for the instruction of French army officers, illustrating numerous duelling techniques with individual weapons, from sword to sabre, bayonet to grenades, lending insight into eighteenth-century military reform and attempts to standardise combat.
According to Castle "the most splendid work on fencing, with the exception of Angelo's, that ever appeared since Thibaust's ponderous folio". Girard's work, important among fencing works, is also notable for recording recent innovations regarding the theory of the small sword. Pardoel 392; Thimms pp. 116-7.
Ex-libris lithographed by Angelo Beccaria. Blazon with Doria weapons: "Coupé d'or and silver with the crowned sand eagle, beaked and chopped with mouths", surmounted by a crown of marquis. For Doria di Montaldeo, David, 1830-1908. Count then Marquess of Montaldeo in 1897
Oblong 4to, (210 x 280mm). Engraved title-page dated 1736, title-page dated 1737, portrait of the author, dedication, 116 numbered engraved plates (slightly browned). Contemporary leather binding, spine gilt, title-piece gilt to spine, marbled endpapers (defects and some wear). Aristocratic arms stamped to title-page and smaller arms stamped to margin of some plates.