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an old book with a red and black writing on itan old book sitting on top of a white surfacean old book with a drawing of a cathedral and a drawing of a toweran old book with a drawing of a man on itan open book with a drawing of a castle on itan old book with a drawing of a man in a cage
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Estimate €2,800 - €3,600
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Description
Architecture Ryff, Walther Hermann Bawkunst, or Architecture, comprising all the most distinguished and essential mathematical and mechanical arts related thereto (...) for a proper understanding of Vitruvius’s teachings, divided into three distinguished volumes. With an allegorical frontispiece (on fol. i verso), more than 160 woodcuts—some full-page—as well as a printer’s mark and several initials in woodcut. Basel, Heinrich Petri, 1582. Large 4°. iiii (Title, Dedication Preface), dlj (1, printer’s mark) p. Contemporary half-leather binding with four bands and a blind-stamped double fillet on the covers (stained and rubbed, with handwritten date; protected in a new cardboard slipcase). Third edition of Ryff’s richly illustrated treatise on art theory, based on Vitruvius. – VD 16 R 4003. – Fowler 227. – Ornament Engraving Catalogue, Berlin 4688. - Cf. Adams I, 986 and BM STC, German Books p. 763 (for the first edition of 1547). - Written by the Strasbourg humanist Walther Hermann Ryff (c. 1500–48), who in the same year became the first to translate Vitruvius’s classical treatise on architecture into German and to provide additional commentary, the work deals with perspective, geometry and architecture, but also related fields useful for military purposes, such as gunsmithing, ballistics, artillery, fortification, the art of warfare and surveying, as well as scales and weights. - The woodcuts, attributed to P. Flötner, G. Pencz, V. Solis, H. Brosamer and E. Schön, amongst others, are based on the first edition of Ryff’s *Baukunst* from 1547 and depict mathematical and geometric figures, floor plans, architectural elements, artillery pieces, measuring instruments and much more. They are “mainly based on the 1521 Como edition (of Vitruvius’s work, note), but many of the same plates were used in Ryff’s *Bawkunst* (1582)” (Fowler). – Title page in red and black with an ornate initial letter decorated with foliage. - The book block is throughout water-stained in the lower third and occasionally shows old mould stains; in places it is slightly brown-stained and has mildew spots; the edges and, in places, the outer margin at the top in the last third show traces of gall ink; a few leaves have slight grease stains. The endpapers have small ink stains (both) and a owner’s note (verso). Architecture. - Third edition of Ryff’s profusely illustrated work on art and architecture based on Vitruvius, with an allegorical frontispiece, more than 160 woodcut illustrations—some full-page—as well as the printer’s mark and several woodcut initials. Bound in contemporary vellum (soiled, but protected by a new slipcase). - For references, see above. - Written by the Strasbourg humanist Walther Hermann Ryff (c. 1500–48), who was the first to translate and annotate Vitruvius’s classical treatise on architecture into German in the same year, the work deals with perspective, geometry and architecture, but also with related fields of particular military use, such as gunsmithing, ballistics, artillery, fortification, the art of war and measurement, as well as scales and weights. - The splendid woodcuts, attributed to P. Flötner, G. Pencz, V. Solis, H. Brosamer and E. Schön, amongst others, are based on the first edition of this work from 1547 and depict mathematical and geometric figures, floor plans, building components, artillery, measuring instruments and much more. They are ‘mainly based on the 1521 Como edition (of Vitruvius’s work, note), but many of the same plates were used in Ryff’s *Bawkunst* (1582)’ (Fowler). - Title page in red and black with an ornate initial decorated with tendrils. - Book block water-stained throughout and with some old foxing in the lower third; in places there is some browning; the edges and part of the outer margin at the top in the last third show traces of gallus ink; some leaves have slight grease stains. Endpapers with ink stains (both) and an owner’s note (verso).
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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