Beschreibung:

RAMELLI, Agostino (c.1531-after 20 August 1608). Le diverse et artificiose machine ... nelle quali si contengono uarij et artificiosi mouimenti, degni di grandissima speculatione, per cauarne beneficio in ogni sorte d'operatione. Composte in lingua italiana et francese . Paris: by the author, 1588. First edition of one of the greatest illustrated books of the 16 th century and a landmark in book design. ‘Ramelli’s book on machinery, one of the most elegantly produced of all technological treatises, emphasized and explored the unlimited possibilities of machines […] The plates in Ramelli’s treatise are artistically as well as technologically superb, the bilingual text beautifully printed, and both plates and text surrounded by handsome borders of typographic ornaments. The reasons for this sumptuousness were twofold: first Ramelli had dedicated the book to his patron Henri III; and second, he had previously had several designs stolen from him by a trusted associate (probably Ambroise Bachot, later engineer to Henri IV), who published them in corrupt and mutilated form and claimed them as his own. As a result of this experience Ramelli planned his treatise as a particularly lavish work that would be difficult to counterfeit, and produced and published it from his own house where he could maintain absolute control over the project’ (Norman). The work is a very fine example of the exquisite craftsmanship of late 16th-century French printers and artists. Ramelli’s work had a great influence on later mechanical engineering. Mortimer French 452; Norman 1777; Dibner Heralds 173. Folio (325 x 214mm). Roman (French) and italic (Italian) types. Engraved title within architectural frame by Leonard Gaultier, each leaf of text printed within a border of typographical fleurons, engraved portrait of Ramelli by Gaultier on title-page verso, 194 engravings (174 full-page, 20 full-sheet) numbered I-CXCV (CXLVIII and CXLIX combined on a single engraving), three signed with the cipher 'JG' (CL-CLII) (A5 faintly waterstained in margin, R1 restored in margin at bottom corner, occasional browning and light spotting, browning heavier in margins of quires T and V, a few discreet paper infills to last leaf in blank margin and printed area). 18th-century red morocco, with later attribution on the flyleaf to Derome, covers framed with gilt triple fillet, spine elegantly gilt with floral and star motifs, all edges gilt (a few minor marks and abrasions, extremities very lightly rubbed). Provenance : Paul Girardot de Préfond (French bibliophile, 1722-c.1785; label on pastedown; this copy possibly no.485 in his sale in 1757) – ‘Dan[iel] Brent 1790’ (according to a later pencil inscription, this was the successful shipbuilder, 1764-1834; inscription).