Militaria - Lot 476

Militaria FOLARD (Jean-Charles de) Histoire de Polybe avec un commentaire ou un corps de science militaire. Paris, Pierre et Julien-Michel Gandouin ; Giffart ; Armand, 1727-30. 6 volumes in-4: 4f, LXXX, 279pp, 3f / XLIII, 280-749pp, (3), table of quotations (numbered (437-4573) / XLII, 5f, 434pp, (1) / XLVIII, 482pp, (1) / XXXVIII, 508pp / C, 558pp, 1f; illustrated with 128 plates, maps or plans (73 of them double-page). Includes battle views or plans, war machines, maps of Italy, Greece, etc. Contemporary glazed fawn calf, spine ribbed and ornamented, 4 headpieces levelled, one jaw split at the entrances, triple cold fillet framing the boards, gilt roulette on the edges, corners slightly dulled, red edges. First edition of this important work of military art, with Vincent Thuillier's translation and an important commentary by the military strategist Chevalier de Folard. The work marks a milestone in the theorization of military art: de Folard wanted to express his ideas by following Polybius' text step by step.