[Les forces de l'Europe, ou Description des principales villes; avec leurs fortifications. Dessinées par les meilleurs ingénieurs, particulièrement celles qui sont sous la domination de la France, dont les plans ont esté levez par Monsieur de Vauban].

5 (of 8) parts in 1 vol., oblong folio: 105 pl. (1st table with geometric shapes very used, margins repaired, esp. at the end of the vol. and in particular the maps of Paris, Freiburg, Heilbronn, Charleroi, Leuze, dampstained, ms. annotation, generally sl. browned).

Mod. half blue morocco, marbled paper covers (tr. of use). S.w.a.f.

Copy with a representative collection of N. de Fer's epic treatise on the fortifications of Europe. Engr. ill.: front., 4 titles, 100 maps, plans and views (of 109 for 5 parts or of 184 for 8 parts), often engr. by H. van Loon, and 5 (of 6) explanatory text sheets in the 1st part. The allegorical frontispiece of part 2, engr. by Adrian Schoonebeek, a follower of Romeyn de Hoogh, is dated 1693. A complete, original edition has been rarely preserved and is only exceptionally available for sale.
Ref. Pastoureau, M. Fer IX A. - Shirley BL T.FER-1g. - L'art de la guerre [Cat. expo]. Namur, Bibl. Plantin, 1999, p. 79 (biographie).