Le Diverse et Artificiose Machine [The Various and Ingenious Machines of Agostino Ramelli] ... Nellequali si Contegno Varii et Industriosi Movimenti degni Grandissima Speculatione oer Causare Benifico in Finito in Ogni Sorte de Operatione

Paris: In Casa Delautore. In overall very good condition. Some blemishes and soiling on cover with carefully blended hinge strengthening. New endpapers and professional repair of a few damaged pages. 1588. First Edition. 18th century white tooled leather cover with metal clasps. xxx; 338 + 338pp :: 195 engraved plates (20 double page) :: 320mm x 240mm (13" x 9") :: Text in French and Italian. One of the most important books on the science and technology of machines in the Renaissance. With the publication of this book Ramelli "demonstrated for the world, the unlimited possibilities of machines" [Norman]. The superb engravings depict all manner of machinery from pumps and hydraulics to cranes and siege machinery. One of the best known and often reproduced plates shows an elaborate 'bookwheel' or reading machine .