DILICH, WILHELM (SCHÄFER).

Peribologia seu muniendorum locor(um) ratio Wilhelmi Dilichii. 2 Theile.

Frankfurt a. Main, Hummen, 1641. Folio. Contemp. full vellum. Handwritten title on spine. Spine a bit stained. A few small repairs on edges. Stamps on foot of engraved title-page. (A printed title-page not published). Erratic pagination. First textleaf is a dedication-leaf, signed A3 and numbered as p. 5 (but complete). (2),5-202,(10),(2-blank). 7 (of 8) engraved parttitles to part I. 180 (numb. I-CCC) + 55 (numb. I-CX) engraved plates with 410 engravings. Many double-page plates including 1 large engraved folded plan of Strasbourg (strenghtened on verso). Some misnumbering to both textleaves and plates. A few plates with marginal dampstains.

First latin edition. A translation of Dilich's German edition of 1640 "Peribologia oder Bericht Wilhelmi Dilichij Hist: Von Vestungs gebewen". Dilich is the best-known German writer on fortification of his time, he had studied at Cassel and at the University of Marburg. He spent long periods of time in Holland and then became the historian, geographer and architect of Maurice, Elector of Saxony (joint dedication to the work).

Dilich was the "The best-known German writer on fortification of his time, Dilich had studied at Cassel and at the University of Marburg. He spent long periods of time in Holland and then became the historian, geographer and architect of Maurice, Elector of Saxony (joint dedicatee of the Latin edition of 1641); poems praising his treatise address him also as a mathematician... His outlines for fortified city plans are somewhat influenced by Francesco de’ Marchi’s, but have even more extensive outworks; Dilich clearly supported a fortification system based on the "tenaille", a predilection partially announced by his title (Peribologia = study of the circumference [of a sanctuary]). Nonetheless, many of his fortified city plans contain elaborate proposals for urban compositions of streets, squares and building lots" (Pollak, no. 14).

Ornamentstich-Sammlung, Berlin, 3526. - Cockle, 832 (German ed.) - Klaus Jordan, 895.

Order-nr.: 55424