Aquatint tactics in pastel style

• In-4, full glazed and marbled calf, smooth spine decorated with scrolls and gilded fleurons, gilt scrolls framing the boards, cut scrolls, (14)-116-60 pp. & 12 ff. 11 boards folded in fine. Blunt caps and corners, first jaw cracked fragile, second jaw cracked at head and foot, spine cracked at foot. Some foxing in the half-title and title, otherwise very fresh. (ref. 63059)

First edition of this esteemed work of military tactics. Charles Louis François Fossé (1734-1812), mathematician and senior officer in the King's army who distinguished himself during the Seven Years' War. Dedicated to the Duke of Châtelet with his coat of arms in color at the head of the epistle, the work is made up of three parts: the defense, then the attack of the small posts, followed, in separate pagination, “Colors specific to the wash of the plans and the conduct to follow when using them”. The 11 plates, 10 on double pages, laminated at the head of 11 commentaries, are engraved in color after Fossé by Louis Martin Bonnet (1736-1793), renowned engraver of the so-called "aquatint" technique. pastel" or "pencil engraving" of which he was the inventor.