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: [14]-116, 60-[2] pp.; 11 pl. (few tiny spots, traces of folds at the left edge of pl. 11).

Contemp. marbled calf, triple gilt fillet on covers, gilt-orn. flat spine, large gilt inner dentelles, a.e.g. (joints partly split, head and tail missing, some scratches on covers, corners sl. bumped).

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 (complete): headpiece depicting the coat of arms of the dedicatee "duc du Chatelet" and 11 attractive plates 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. - Graesse II:620.
Prov. King Ernest Augustus of Hanover (1771-1851), initally unlikely to become monarch as fifth son of George III, he succeeded William IV as King of Hanover under Salic law while Queen Victoria inherited the British throne (stamp in black on title as Duke of Cumberland "E.D.C." and in red on verso as king; ref. Lugt L.5919).