Ryff, Der furnembsten notwendigsten der gantzen Architectur..., Nuremberg, 1547, marbled boards

RYFF, WALTHER HERMANN

Der furnembsten notwendigsten der gantzen Architectur angehoerigen Mathemathischen und Mechanischen kuenst eygentlicher bericht und... unterrichtung zu rechtem verstandt der lehr Vitruvij in drey furneme Buecher abgetheilet. Nuremberg: Johan Petreius, 1547

4 parts in one volume, folio (293 x 195mm.), title printed in red and black, woodcut initials and illustrations (some full-page), woodcut printer's device at end of second and fourth parts, with blank leaves 3m4 and **6, nineteenth-century orange marbled boards, yellow edges, final leaf laid down, binding slightly rubbed

This architectural and mathematical compendium, edited and translated (rather than written) by Ryff, covers not just perspective and construction but also artillery and ballistics, battle formations, surveying, fortification and sieges. The authors include Serlio, Oronce Fine, Tartaglia, Alberti and Nicholas of Cusa.

Ryff also produced a German translation of Vitruvius which Petreius printed in 1548.

LITERATURE:

Cockle 661; VD16 R 4001

PROVENANCE:

M. Caspar Schutz, early inscription on title-page (plausibly the German historian, died 1594)