CUGNOT: Théorie de la fortification, avec des... Lot 36

CUGNOT: Théorie de la fortification, avec des observations sur les différens systêmes qui ont paru depuis l'invention de l'artillerie, et une nouvelle maniere de construire des places. A description of a new planchette is appended. Jombert aîné, 1778. Small in-8 contemporary marbled basane, spine ribbed and decorated (binding roughly restored and worn). Illustrated with 10 folding plates. First edition. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot (1725-1804) from Lorraine taught military art in Paris from 1763 onwards, after serving as a military engineer; he is the inventor of a fardier or "cabriot" (machine to tow the heaviest artillery pieces), which was built at the Arsenal at public expense, but never put into service. Quérard II, 350.