BELIDOR (Bernard) - Nouveau cours de mathématique, à l'usage - Lot 63

BELIDOR (Bernard) - Nouveau cours de mathématique, à l'usage de l'artillerie et du génie où l'on applique: les parties les plus utiles de cette science à la théorie & à la pratique des différens sujets qui peuvent avoir rapport à la guerre. Paris, Chez Charles-Antoine Jombert, 1725; in-4, 22 ppnch. + 560 pp. + table, bound in full contemporary calf, spine decorated with 5 nerves, red morocco title page, edges speckled, boards with the arms of Stanislas I Duke of Lorraine, former King of Poland. 34 folding plates and numerous engravings in the text. Bernard Forest de Bélidor, born in Catalonia (Spain) in 1698 and died in Paris in 1761, was a French military engineer. In 1729, he published La Science des ingénieurs dans la conduite des travaux de fortification et d'architecture civile (The Science of Engineers in the Conduct of Fortification Works and Civil Architecture), the first comprehensive work in this field, covering both the layout of works and their resistance, as well as the urban planning of squares. The book bears the coat of arms of Stanislas I, Duke of Lorraine and Bar, King of Poland. The Latin ex-dono indicates that this work was awarded first prize in mathematics by the University of Pont-à-Mousson in 1754. Stanislas' attachment to the sciences is well known. He founded a chair of mathematics at the University of Pont-à-Mousson, and offered prize books of in-4 volumes for first-year students and in-folio volumes for second-year students. Consultant: Mr. Philippe HENRY