Eugène Viollet-le-Duc - Histoire d'une forteresse - 1875

Fascinating illustrated edition (beautiful engravings in-text and on plates, of which 8 are in color, notably the lovely frontispiece) of this didactic and illustrated narrative tracing the evolution of defensive systems from the Middle Ages through the fictional yet realistic history of a fortress, allowing a clear and progressive exposition of the principles of military architecture -

The author describes the birth of a simple fortified point, then its development into a castle, detailing the successive transformations imposed by advances in siege techniques and weapons -

Viollet-le-Duc also analyzes the innovations introduced to strengthen fortifications, such as the improvement of active and passive defense systems, as well as the rationalization of plans -

The work emphasizes the constant relationship between attack and defense, showing how evolutions in military art lead to architectural changes. It also addresses daily life inside the fortress, mentioning social organization, living conditions and the activities of its inhabitants -

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc - Histoire d'une forteresse - SD (circa 1875) - J. Hetzel et Cie -
368 Pages.

Good condition of the binding, the work in its red half-leather edition, marbled boards, wear from use, a few minor defects on the cover, scuff on the browned spine, corners worn, browned edges with specks in the tint, the spine smooth adorned with gold lines, gilded title and author name –

Good interior condition, isolated foxing, damp stain along the top edge at the end on about the last 15 pages, the work enriched with beautiful engravings in-text and on plates of which 8 are in color, notably the pretty frontispiece, a signature and date (1875) on the inside front free endpaper, modern endpapers in good condition, a pleasant copy –

Delivery service guaranteed within a few days -