Idées d'un militaire pour la disposition des troupes confiées aux jeunes officiers dans la défense et l'attaque des petits postes.

2 parts in 1 vol., 4to: [10]-116, 60-[6] pp.; 11 pl. + 11 expl. ff. (some spotting).

Contemp. blue paper covers, flat spine (some def., rubbed). Good, uncut copy with large margins.

First edition of this military treatise by Fossé (1734-1812), French infantry officer and mathematician. It contains information on military strategies and the best methods of producing maps and charts. Nicely illustrated with colour-printed plates: coat of arms at the head of the dedication to the duc du Châtelet and 11 attractive plates (fold.) by Louis-Marin Bonnet after the author's designs. The plates, realistically and aesthetically drawn, present various sites and buildings with their suggested use in military situations, figuring i.a. a castle in the vicinity of Bern, fortifications near Lille, the village of Bar. This work is also renowned for its splendid typography that later on became known as the Didot-style.
Ref. Conlon 83:1106. - Brunet II:1354.