Beschreibung:

SPECKLIN, Daniel (1536-1589). Architectura von Vestungen. Strassburg: Bernhart Jobin, 1589. First edition of an important work on military and defensive architecture by an architect who worked on the fortification of Gibraltar. Specklin was a preeminent European specialist on fortification and an official Architect of the city of Strassburg, who had learned from Italian experts brought to the court of Maximilian II at Vienna. The engravings in this book link him to the improvements undertaken of the defenses of Gibraltar in 1550-52 against attacks by the Barbary pirates, suggesting that he was the designer of the southern works. The work went through many later editions, evidence of an influence that lasted well into the 18th century. Cockle 789; Millard Northern European Books 123. See Hughes and Migos, Strong as the Rock of Gibraltar (1995); and Philip II and the Escorial: technology and the representation of architecture (1990), 37. Folio (346 x 232mm). Title printed in red and black, within engraved architectural border by Matthäus Greuter; woodcut coat-of-arms of the dedicatee, Julius Herzog von Braunschweig; 38 engraved plates, 3 of which double-page and mounted on stubs; numerous woodcut illustrations and initials (some browning and marginal dampstaining). Contemporary limp vellum, with supralibros and spine label added later (vellum reinforced at spine and edges; some darkening and soiling). Provenance : Walter Tregellas (1831-1894, Cornish draughtsman and historian of engineering; presentation label on pastedown) – Royal Engineers Library (gilt stamp on binding, ink stamp on title and a few other places) – Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow (their sale, Christie's, New York, 9-10 April, 2013 lot 317).