CHOUMARA, Pierre-Marie Théodore.
Mémoires sur la fortification, ou examen raisonné... avec atlas.
Paris, Anselin (back of half-title: printed by A. Henry), 1827. 2 volumes (8vo text and 4to atlas). With 3 very large folding lithographed plates (ca. 54.5 x 77 cm) in atlas volume. Contemporary marbled half calf, gold-tooled spine. [6], 354, [1], [1 blank] pp.
€ 1,650
First edition of a work on fortification by the French military engineer Pierre-Marie Théodore Choumara (1787-1870). It examines the characteristics and shortcomings of various French forts, giving suggestions for improvement at low cost. "That which distinguishes Choumara from other writers on the science, is the objection he has to supersede everything by the introduction of a new system; his constant endeavour is to modify the fortresses already extant, in order to increase their power and resistance" (Lendy). Other chapters deal with the attack and defence of an hexagon-shaped fort, the number of soldiers needed to defend a fort and the type of armour required. The atlas volume contains three large folding lithographed plates, showing different types of bastions and an attack plan.
Both text and atlas volume somewhat foxed, a few small spots. Overall a very good copy. Jordan 0699; A.F. Lendy, Treatise on fortification (1862), p. 423; WorldCat (9 copies).
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