Le Bombardier Francois [The French Bomber]; Ou Nouvelle Methode De Jetter Les Bombes Avec Precision

Paris: De L'Imprimerie Royale, 1731. First Edition. Full leather. Near fine. The first edition of Le Bombardier Francois (or, The French Bomber) by Bernard Forest de Belidor, published in 1731.. Quarto, [8], xli, [3], 1-366pp [8 fold-out plates]. Original full brown calf, thin trim stamped in blind along edges. Five raised bands, title in gilt on spine with decorative gilt compartments. Numerical paper label affixed to spine. Marbled endpapers, speckled edges, with a green bookmark sewn-in. Previous ownership inscription on title page, dated 1739. Text printed in French. Solid text block, light wear to edges of binding, short closed tears to occasional leaf. Near fine condition. Complete with eight fold-out plates with illustrations of materials and pieces used for the creation of artillery. (Graesse I, 324) A unique piece rarely seen on the market in the United States. Full Title: Le Bombardier Francois, Ou Nouvelle Methode De Jetter Les Bombes Avec Precision. Par M. Belidor Commissaire ordinaire de l'Artillerie, Professeur-Royal des Methematiques aux E'coles du meme Corps, Membre des Academies Royales des Sciences d'Angleterre & de Prusse, Correspondant de celle de Paris.
Rough Translation: The French Bombardier, or a New Method of Throwing Bombs with Precision. By Mr. Belidor, Ordinary Commissioner of Artillery, Royal Professor of Mathematics at the Schools of the same Corps, Member of the Royal Academies of Sciences of England and Prussia, Correspondent of that of Paris.
Full collation available upon request.