STRADA (Jacopo). - Lot 52

STRADA (Jacopo). La Premiere partie de Desseins artificiaulx de toutes sortes des moulins à vent, à l'eau, à Cheval & à la main, avec diverses sortes des pompes & aultres inventions, pour faire monter l'eau au hault, sans beaucoup de peine & despens, jamais veux par cy devant. Frankfurt am Main: Paul Jacques, Lukas Jennis, 1617. -In-folio, havana Russian half-leather, ornate ribbed spine (19th century binding). First edition of the first of two parts of this treatise on mills by the Italian painter and architect Jacopo Strada (1515-1588). Dedicated to Frederick V, Elector Palatine, it was published posthumously by Ottavio II Strada, the author's grandson. The second part appeared the following year. The edition is illustrated with a handsome copper-engraved title frame by Matthias Mérian, Frederick V's coat of arms mid-page, and 50 fine double-page plates engraved by Balthasar Schwan and Eberhard Kiefer. A good copy in 19th-century binding. The plates are mounted on tabs. The 16 explanatory pages by Benjamin Bramer (1588-1652) are missing. Used rubbing to spine. Some dampstaining, soiling and staining to leaves and plates. Non-missing tear at the fold of several plates.