DE MILITIA EQUESTRI ANTIQUA ET NOVA AD REGEM PHILLIPUM IV: Libri Quinque.
[Text in Latin]. Pp. 344+[10(index, privilege, and printer's device), engraved pictorial title page, 6 plates (2 folding, the others double page, numerous text illustrations, decorative head & tailpieces and initials; f'cap. folio, in fours; contemporary calf boards with double blind rule borders and small winged horse device in gilt at centre, neatly rebacked with later calf spine, decorated in blind compartments between raised bands, with gilt lettered and ruled red leather title label, the boards lightly worn, edges chipped at a few points; edges sprinkled red; book label of David Levine, Sydney, on upper pastedown, upper hinge cracking, the engraved title page is chipped and split at edges (mainly the fore-edge) and has at some time been laid onto a backing sheet, the dedication page also slightly chipped at fore-edge, occasional light soiling and browning; Balthasaris Moreti, Ex officina Plantiniana, Antwerp, 1630. First edition. STCV 6607570; USTC 1003298; Cockle 733. *Born in Brussels, Hermann Hugo (1588-1629) was a Jesuit priest who studied philosophy and theology at the University of Louvain. He died of the plague in September 1629. In this volume he extols the nobility of the mounted soldier from ancient to modern times. The printer, Balthasar Moretus (1574-1641) was a grandson of Christopher Plantin. The engraved title page, a battle scene featuring riders on horses, a camel, an elephant (and a centaur) is by Cornelius Galle the elder. Appropriately, the dedication to King Philip IV of Spain begins with an ornamental capital T incorporating two soldiers and two rearing horses. Item #173574
Price: $2,500.00