The First Book of Architecture [...] Translated out of Italian, with an appendix touching doors and windows, by Pr. Le Muet architect to the French King

London: Edw. Midwinter, 1729. Very Good. London: Printed for Edw. Midwinter at the Looking-Glass on London-Bridge, 1729. "Eleventh Edition, Corrected and Enlarged: With a new model of the Cathedral of St. Paul, London, as it is now rebuilt." Small quarto (20cm.); full contemporary blind-tooled calf, spine in six compartments, later partly perished paper spine label; [4],238pp.; 67 (of 70) plates including added engraved title page and 5 (of 6) folding plates, the rest full-page illus. in text (plate printed on leaf Z4 misbound after 2B3). Boards rather scuffed and rubbed with exposure at corners, joints starting to crack but hold, 1/2" loss at spine crown, else Good to Very Good, text remains fresh and sound.

The first volume from the 16th-century Italian architect's magnum opus "I Quattro Libri dell'Architettura," first published in Venice in 1570 which revolutionized late Renaissance architecture and design with far-reaching influences in France, England, and even the United States.

Inevitably the work in translation saw myriad editions, this one with "Rules and Demonstrations, with several designs, for the Framing of any manner of Roofs, either Above Pitch, or Under Pitch, whether Square, or Bevel, never before Published: By that Ingenious Architect Mr. William Pope of London. With Designs of Floors of Variety of Small Pieces of Wood Inlaid, lately made in the Palace of Somerset-House; a Curiosity never practiced before in England" (from the title page).

ESTC T129726.