Schoonebeek, Adriaen ; Van Loon, H. Lot n° 569

FER, Nicolas de [Les forces de l'Europe, ou Description des principales villes; avec leurs fortifications. Drawn by the best engineers, particularly those under the domination of France, whose plans were drawn by Monsieur de Vauban]. Paris N. de Fer 1694 [- 1693] 5 (of 8) parts in 1 vol. oblong folio: 105 pl. (1st table with geometric shapes very used, margins repaired, esp. at the end of the vol. and in particular the maps of Paris, Freiburg, Heilbronn, Charleroi, Leuze, dampstained, ms. annotation, generally sl. browned) Mod. half blue morocco, marbled paper covers (tr. of use). S.w.a.f. Copy with a representative collection of N. de Fer's epic treatise on the fortifications of Europe. Engr. ill.: front, 4 titles, 100 maps, plans and views (of 109 for 5 parts or of 184 for 8 parts), often engr. by H. van Loon, and 5 (of 6) explanatory text sheets in the 1st part. The allegorical frontispiece of part 2, engr. by Adrian Schoonebeek, a follower of Romeyn de Hoogh, is dated 1693. A complete, original edition has been rarely preserved and is only exceptionally available for sale. Ref. Pastoureau, M. Fer IX A. - Shirley BL T.FER-1g. - The art of war [Cat. expo]. Namur, Bibl. Plantin, 1999, p. 79 (biography).