RAMELLI Agostino
£8,200
Auction: 1 February 2005 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Le Diverse et artificiose machine ... nellequali si contegno varii et industriosi movimenti degni grandissima speculatione per causare beneficio in finito in ogni sorte de operatione ... 1st edition, ff. [xvi], 338 (various misfoliations), title within an architectural border, portrait of the author on the verso, 195 engarved illustrations (i.e. 194, as one doublepage illus. numbered 148 & 149), of which 20 are doublepage, text in French and Italian, the Italian printed in italic, the French in roman, the texts and illustrations within borders of type ornaments, typograhic inititials throughout, contemporary vellum, the covers with gilt rules with gilt corner and border ornaments and with gilt central oval wreaths of bay leaves, the spine decorated gilt in compartments with ornaments of small tools, metal clasps with vellum hinges, a.e.g., later rebinding with orginal backstrip and covers laid down, and possibly the metal clasps added at the same time, upper inner joint broken, inner margin of the titlepage and other margins dusty, inner margin of the title and last few leaves creased, couple of short tears to the margins of the titlepage (one neatly repaired), further marginal tears in ff. 6 (repaired), 26, 113, and 330, folio, Paris: in casa del 'autore, 1588
Note: Adams R 52; Cockle 788; Dibner 173; Mortimer French 452; Norman 2 1777; Welcome 5323
One of the most important books on the science and technology of machines in the Renaissance, and one of the most famous illustrated books of the sixteenth century. The machines of Ramelli were widely known in his own time, and representations of them were frequently imitated. With the publication of his book he "demonstrated for the world, the unlimited possibilities of machines" (Norman). The superb engravings depict pump designs, mill construction, hydraulic machinery, and all manner of derricks, looms, cranes, saws, siege machinery, fortifications and foundry equipment. One of the best known and often reproduced plates shows an elaborate "bookwheel" or reading machine. The titlepage and portrait on the verso are signed "LG", the initials of Leonard Gaultier. Three other plates (150, 151 & 152) are signed "JG", but the identification of this artist has yet to be established. It is probable that more than one artist contributed to the engravings. Dibner describes the illustrations as " among the best in technological illustration".