The exceptionally rare second edition

MACHIAVELLI, Niccolo.

Libro della arte della guerra di Niccolo Machiavegli cittadino et segretario fiorentino.

Florence: per li heredi di Philippo di Giunta, 1529.

2nd Edition. Soft cover. Very Good. Item #003973

8vo. [1], 2-112 [i.e. 120] leaves. Imprint from colophon on p1v; numerous errors in foliation. Signatures: a-p⁸. Woodcut printer's device with motto "Nil candidius" (Z649) on title and final leaf verso; final 8 text leaves of gathering p with 7 double-page woodcut diagrams of military formations. Original limp vellum, spine and front cover lettered in ink (some chipping and small holes in vellum of front cover, leather cords mostly gone, vellum soiled, stained and scratched, first flyleaf present only). Text with light even browning and occasional minor brown spotting, but generally quite clean and crisp throughout; the lower outer corner of first 8 leaves (gathering "a") with paper repair of small cut-out (not affecting text); final gathering working loose; occasional annotations and markings in brown ink. Provenance: two illegible ink stamps on title page over formerly erased ones (paper thinning). This book comes from a private Italian collection and got a valid export license of the Italian cultural authoritiy. An amazing copy in its original unrestored binding. ----

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SECOND EDITION of Niccolò Machiavelli's treatise on military strategy, first published in 1521 and written between 1519 and 1520. It is the book "that Machiavelli considered his most important, [...] with seven double-page woodcut military diagrams unknown to Renouard and not mentioned by any bibliographer. Machiavelli, according to Burckhardt 'the greatest dilettante who has ever treated in that character of military affairs' (ed. 1945, p. 63), wrote this book to prove that a citizen soldiery is the surest guard for the preservation of the common liberty, and that a strong infantry is the most reliable weapon. It is thus considered the first truly scientific exposition of modern strategic principles. The work, dedicated to his patron Lorenzo Strozzi, is in the form of a dialogue in the Rucellai gardens at Florence, where Machiavelli supposes that certain noble young men-Fabrizio Colonna, Cosimo Rucellai, Zanobi Buondelmonti, Luigi Alamanni, Battista dalla Palla-have gathered for Fabrizio's visit to the city. The principal speakers are Fabrizio (representing the author) and Cosimo. Machiavelli expresses a lively admiration for the military science of the Romans, and great scorn for its degeneration in Italy. He prefers infantry to cavalry, fortified camps to fortified cities, rapid movements and decisive clashes to the slow tactics of the condottieri. He calls finally for a national liberator who will unite Italy" (William Schab, catalogue no 16, item no. 134, 1951). This second edition is very rare in the trade. Only one other copy is recorded in RHB, sold by rare book seller William Schwab in 1951.
Bibliography: Gamba, 601; Brunet, III, 1277 (note); Graesse, IV, 324; Renouard, 1825, p. Iii ("107 ff."). With the Seven Woodcut Diagrams of Infantry Tactics - Visit our website to see more images!

Price: 28,000 €  *  convert currency