ISACCHI Giovanni Battista Inventioni nelle quale si manifestano varii secreti, & utili avisi a persone di guerra. Parma, Seth Viotto, 1579
4to: [8]ff., 170pp., [5]ff., woodcut unicorn device on title-page and last leaf, 43 full-page woodcut illustrations cut with an unusually thick black line and contrast of black and white. 19th century marbled boards, grained cloth spine; title-page not very fresh and with several very small holes, light stains on the third leaf (dedicatory letter).
Only edition of an extremely interesting work, the first Italian book of machines. Although there are many inventions for military use and the book has therefore been noted in the military bibliographies, its overriding interest is for the light it sheds on the machinery and devices used in contemporary festivities and theatrical productions. Fifteen of the 'secreti' are specifically mentioned as being designed for such occasions. On pages 154 - 157 is a description and illustration of the author's invention - "Far caminare una Carrozza senza Cavalli, ma con industria di Ruote ò Molinelli". Should the reader find the instructions for its construction difficult to follow, Isacchi states himself to be most willing to make a model for them. Mortimer 242; Riccardi I, i, 651; Cockle 547.
£6500
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