Isacchi - Inventioni - 1579

Isacchi Giovanni Battista

Inventions of Gio. Battista Isacchi from Reggio.
In which they manifest certain secrets, and useful aids to people of war.

In Parma - 1579 -
Seth. Viotti

(16), 170, (10) p.
Sign: a-b4 A-Y4 Z2

Extraordinary illustrated engineering work of the 16th century.

Very rare first and only edition, containing over 50 unique inventions related to wars and trades.
BRUNET III 460-1
COCKLE 547
EDIT 16 39144
MORTIMER HARVARD ITALIANO 242

A rare and fascinating work, especially in the chemical field and also for the manufacture of gunpowder and fireworks.
RICCARDI I, 651

There have been only two successful bids in the last 20 years at famous London auctions, with sale prices in both presentations exceeding €8,000.
A single copy for sale online at €11,000.

Engineering inventions, including various ways to use fireworks, armor, and swords.

Although mostly machinery for military purposes, there are also devices for industrial and recreational use.
In addition to being described in a detailed and accurate manner, each invention is accompanied by a dedication presented to various nobles, of whom Isacchi claims or seeks the patronage or protection.

Isacchi, an engineer, worked for Luigi Pico della Mirandola (1526/1581) and, from 1596, as the head of artillery for Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio.

In a letter to Carlo Emanuele of Savoy, the first underwater mine was described.
Noteworthy is also the principle underlying the modern telegraph.

Full-page coat of arms of the dedicatee and patron Cornelio Bentivogli.
Portrait of Isacchi, besides two heraldic coats of arms.
Illustrated text with 39 full and half-page drawings of weapons, war machines, explosive devices, fortifications, and other inventions.
Three signed drawings by CR, probably initials of Cosma Rossellio, whose 'Thesaurus artificiosa memoria' appeared in Venice in the same year.
(1579).

Beautiful, evocative, and rare binding, strictly contemporary, in full leather, with multiple double fillet frames engraved in blind on the covers, with gilded fleurons at the corners and a four-ribbed spine.
Traces of closure hooks (missing), with hinges intact and clearly visible.
Light but characteristic wrinkling of the skin, still intact and well-preserved.

Interiors are generally well preserved, with quite fresh documents.
Interesting manuscript, probably contemporary, at the frontispiece.
Present minor humidity stains, sometimes more pronounced, which however do not hinder reading the text or viewing the wonderful, detailed illustrations present.
Last card, with the brand Viotti (repeated), registration and colophon on the front, counterprinted on the back.

Spectacular and absolutely unretrievable specimen, complete and original in every part.
Settled. Complete.