Compendium of War Tactics & Fortifications

Amsterdam: Chez Henri Desbordes, dans le Kalver-straat, prés le Dam. MDCXCVI [1696]. Avec Privilege. In French. 8vo. 3 volumes.

Volume I

[2] p.l., [26], 373, [7], [1– blank] pp. 185 × 115 mm (7 × 4.5 in.) Engraved half title, title page printed in red and black, woodcut device on title page, 2 woodcut headpieces, 155 full-page engravings in the text. Very good. Contemporary calf, boards lightly rubbed, lower corners bumped, spine ornately gilt in six compartments, raised bands, slight wear to head of spine, red and blue-speckled edges, bookplate of ​“Comrad Fäsy” mounted onto upper pastedown, early manuscript ownership inscription of ​“Jean Finsley 1783” on recto of front free endpaper, black ex libris stamp of ​“Juc. Jan Polívka” on recto of upper free endpaper, marginal damp staining (not affecting text), one leaf laid in from 1971 written to ​“Mrs. Houdek.”

Volume II

Les Travaux de Mars, ou l’art de la guerre. Tome Second. Contenant la maniere de consturire & de fortifier toutes sortes de Villes & de Places; felon toutes les diverses manieres qui ont été inventées jusqu’a present par les plus Sçavans Auteurs, & les plus Fameux Ingeniers qui ont traitté de cette Science: ERRARD, MAROLOIS, FRITACH, STEVIN, DOGEN, MARCHI, SARDI, DE-VILLE, le COMTE DE PAGAN & autres. Avec des Remarques sur les avantages & les desavantages de leurs methodes; & de Parallele de leurs Constructions avec celle de l’Auteur, & d’amples Dissertations pour & contre l’usage des Cazemates, des Fausses-brayes, & des seconds Flancs: ensemble les raisons de l’Auteur, pour les Flancs & les Cazemates de ses Places.

Amsterdam: Chez Henri Desbordes, dans le Kalver-straat, prés le Dam. MDCXCVI [1696]. [2] p.l., [14], 343, [4], [1 – blank] pp. Engraved half title, title page printed in red and black, woodcut device on title page, 3 woodcut headpieces, 121 full-page engravings in the text. Very good. Contemporary calf, boards lightly rubbed, upper corner of upper board bumped, lower corner of lower board bumped, spine ornately gilt in six compartments, raised bands, red and blue-speckled edges, early manuscript ownership inscription of ​“Jean Finsley 1783” on recto of front free endpaper, marginal damp staining (not affecting text) on last few leaves, black ex libris stamp of Juc. Jan Polívka” on verso of lower free endpaper.

Volume III

Les Travaux de Mars, ou l’art de la guerre. Tome Troisiéme. Contenant Les noms, charges & d’Artillerie. Des Evolution nouvelles. De l’Artillerie, & composition des Poudres, avec celle de toutes sortes de Feux d’Artifice. Des Instrumens qui servant, ou à la défense ou à l’attaque des Places, Villes & Châteaux. De la marche & conduite des Troupes & Armées. Du campement pour les Sieges; & de l’attaque des Places, Vilees, & Châteaux. De la défense des Places, contre toutes sortes de Sieges & d’attaques. De la Capitulation & Reddition des Places. De la Milice des Turcs; de leur maniere de faire la guerre, d’attaquer & de défendre les Places.

Amsterdam: Chez Henri Desbordes, dans le Kalver-straat, prés le Dam. MDCXCVI [1696]. [2] p.l., [14], 387, [9], [1 – blank] pp. Engraved half title, title page printed in red and black, woodcut device on title page, 2 woodcut headpieces, 137 full-page engravings in the text. Very good. Contemporary calf, boards lightly rubbed, some damp staining to upper board, corners bumped, ornately gilt in six compartments, raised bands, some wear to head and tail of spine, red and blue-speckled edges, early manuscript ownership inscription of ​“Jean Finsley 1783” on recto of front free endpaper, black ex libris stamp of Juc. Jan Polívka” on recto of upper free endpaper, natural paper flaw at Q3 not affecting text.

The first revised and much corrected edition of this incredible compendium of information on war tactics and fortifications (first edition, 1684.) The author, Allain Manesson Mallet (1630–1706) was an engineer, mathematician, and cartographer. Written in three volumes, the work contains an astonishing total of 413 engraved illustrations.

The first volume is dedicated entirely to building fortifications in various types of topography including fortifications to surround villages built near rivers or the sea, as well as on mountain tops, and in the Marais in Paris. He also discusses how to build forts in the countryside and maintain clear lines of communication from the countryside. The illustrations are not the dry renderings of a tactician but rather are populated with people who are clearly in the midst of carrying out their lives. There are scenes of men arguing over a map; swimming naked in the river; rowing boats; and laying out stakes for fortifications with charts to consult, while friends are picnicking nearby. There are pitched battles and above the illustrations of particular fortification examples are banners stating the name of the location.

Volume II provides further research on fortifications and presents examples of contemporary expert engineers’ methods for fortification. Mallet critiques their work and compares their constructions with his own.

The third volume is perhaps the most interesting as it draws upon Mallet’s personal experience fighting against the Turks and presents information on Turkish war tactics and their militia. He begins this volume with a detailed description (well-illustrated, of course) of each rank of the military, from the foot soldier to the drummer, to the cavalry to the colonel. He follows this with an illustration of how to arrange the ranks in the field. Also included are new inventions in artillery and the composition of powders; general rules regarding the marching and conduct of troops and armies; how to prepare a camp for siege; how to defend against siege and other sorts of attack; and on how to surrender when necessary.

Mallet began his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV, where he became a Sergeant-Major in the artillery and an Inspector of Fortifications. He also served under the King of Portugal, before returning to France, where he was appointment to the court of Louis XIV. His military engineering and mathematical background led to his position teaching mathematics at court.

Each volume contains the early manuscript ownership inscription of ​“Jean Finsley 1783” and the black ex libris stamp of Jan Polívka. From the library of Jaroslav Polívka. Laid in to one volume is a note from 1971 written to ​“Mrs. Houdek.” This would have been written to Eliska (“Elizabeth”) Houdek née Polívka (1914–2002), the daughter of Jaroslav.

Bibliography: Poggendorff II, 26; Graesse IV, 354.

OCLC locates four copies in the United States at University of California, Los Angeles, Harvard, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, and William & Mary Libraries. There are two copies outside of the United States.