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a drawing of a tower with a clock on itan old book with a drawing of a boat on itfour old books sitting on top of each other on a white surfacean open book with a picture of a building in the backgroundan old drawing of a building with scaffoldings and scaffoldings on itan old drawing of a machine that is sitting on top of a tablea picture of a drawing of a garden with people in itan old drawing of a building with a clock on it
Premium Maître Paul PASTAUD

32 - BELIDOR (Bernard Forest de). Hydraulic Architecture, or the …
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Estimate €600 - €800
Sale commission
Description
BELIDOR (Bernard Forest de). Hydraulic Architecture, or the Art of Channelling, Raising and Managing Water for the Various Necessities of Life. [-Part Two, covering the art of channelling water from the sea and rivers for the benefit of fortifications, trade and agriculture]. Paris, Jombert, 1737–1739–1750–1770. 2 parts in 4 vols. in-4, speckled calfskin, ornate ribbed spine, title and volume number labels, red edges (contemporary binding). Caps and corners worn, a few with gnawing or skin damage. The illustrations comprise 2 frontispieces, 219 folding plates (44+55+60+60), 3 title vignettes, including one by Van Soubey, 4 headbands by A. Aveline and Rigaud, one historiated initial and numerous tailpieces. A few small foxing spots. Plate 1 of Chapter II of Book III is duplicated here; it was mistakenly placed in the position of Plate 5 of Chapter 4 of Book 4, which is therefore missing here. First edition of this important work, which exerted a profound influence. Its scope extends beyond the title, as it covers the fields of mechanical and civil engineering. The first part is devoted to the principles of mechanics and hydraulics, a description of the various types of mills and pumps, an analysis of the hydraulic machinery at the Pont Notre-Dame in Paris, methods of distributing water to public fountains and basins, and gardens (including a description of several inventions, such as the Marly machine which supplied water to Versailles), etc. The second part is devoted to preliminary studies for engineering works and to specific case studies: the history of Dunkirk from its origins up to 1712, and, above all, the use of locks, including studies of the machinery used to drive in or remove piles, foundation slabs, basins, lock fittings, capstans for use by labourers in the locks, and a model cost estimate; descriptions of the most famous ports and their construction: Cherbourg, Bayonne, Dunkirk, the Cordouan Tower upstream of the Garonne, Menin, Toulon, Westminster; the use of water in times of war; the creation of canals for navigation, irrigation and drainage. The fourth and final volume (corresponding to Volume 2 of the second part) is a reprint of the 1753 edition dated 1770. A few small foxing spots.
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About the sale MONTIGNAC – 31st BOOK SALE – Day 1 of 4 – Nos. 1 to 549
Auction location
Auction time 08/19/2026 at 11:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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