Machiavelli, [Niccolo] | "In war, discipline can do more than fury"

From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft

Macchiavelli [Niccolo]

The Arte of Warre … [London: W Williamson for John Wight, 1573 (1574)]

4to (195 x 136 mm). Engraved title, black letter; first 36 pages with some contemporary underlining and marginalia. [Bound with:] Whitehorne (W.). Certaine wayes for the ordering of Souldiours in battleray, and setting of battayles, after divers fashions, with their manner of marching, and also Fugures of certayne newe plattes for fortification of Townes, and more over, howe to make Saltpeter, Gun-pouder and divers sortes of Fireworkes, or wilde Fire. London: W. Williamson for J. Wight, 1574. [And with:] Cataneo (Girolamo) Most Brief Tables to Knowe Redily Howe Manye Ranckes of Footemen go to the Making of a Just Battle ... London: W. Williamson for J. Wight, 1574. Both works black letter, with numerous woodcuts and large folding diagram of battle at end of third work; the first few leaves with minor restoration at upper and lower margins, early ink annotations. Near contemporary speckled calf with red morocco lettering piece.

The translator of The Arte of Warre, Peter Whitehorne, served as a soldier for a decade in North Africa during which time he journeyed to Constantinople to study the workings of the Ottoman empire, but his martial philosophy was more influenced by contemporary Italian thinking (nurtured during a "grand tour" of Rome, Naples and Florence in 1549-50), reflected both in his own writings and this translation of Machiavelli.

Although The Arte of Warre is complete in itself, it is often regarded as being the first part of an extended work, this second part of which is present in this copy, Whitehorne's Certaine wayes for the ordering of souldiers in battleray (they share an STC entry).

The last work, Cattaneo's Most briefe tables, also issued at the same time, is sometimes found as here, bound with the first two. A handsome example, well-margined and with the folding diagram in good condition.

REFERENCE:

STC 17165; 4790