Architectura Curiosa Nova – Böckler – 1664 | First Edition, Castles & Gardens

Architectura Curiosa Nova by Georg Andreas Böckler is a fascinating, folio survey of castles, royal gardens, and hydraulic fountains. Böckler, known for his inventions in mechanical waterworks, included full-page engraved views of ornate fountains and garden designs, as well as views of iconic castles in central Europe including St. Peter’s Basilica. This book has proven to be one of the most sought after books of 17^th-century garden engineering, mostly because of the incredible illustrations.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Architectura curiosa nova : exponens 1. Fundamenta hydragogica, indolemq́; aquæ, aëris interventu in altum levandæ. 2. Varios aquarum ac salientium fontium lusus per varia spectatu jucunda epistomiorum seu siphonum genera. 3. Magnum amœnissimorum fontium, machinarumq́; aquæductoriarum sumtu magno exstructarum, ac per Italiam … &c. visendarum, numerum. 4. Specus artificiales sumtuosissimas, cum plerisq́; principum europæorum palatiis, hortis, aulis; nec non præcipuis monasteriis atq; arcibus.
• Author(s): Georg Andreas
• Illustrator(s): uncredited, but of Böckler’s designs
• Contributor(s): Johann Christoph Sturm (Translator);
• Publisher: Norimbergae, Impensis Pauli Fürsten, typis Christophori Gerhardi
• Edition: First Latin Edition, 1664
• Format: Folio, single volume
• Binding: Leather binding
• Size:  13.5 in x 9 in (34.3 cm x 23 cm)
• Collation: four parts in 1
  • part 1: [10], 30pp; 16 engravings (of 20)
    • Wanting 8, 10, 18, 19
  • part 2: 13pp; 64 engravings (of 71)
    • wanting 12, 26, 50-53
  • part 3: 22pp; 89 engravings (of 120)
    • wanting 1-21, 27, 33-34, 51-52, 60, 65-66, 108-109
  • part 4: 26pp; 34 engravings (of 36 – final five plates are bound upside down in reverse order)
    • wanting 16, 19
• Illustrations: full-page engravings make up most of this book (see above)
• Contents Include:
  • Views of well-known locations including: St. Peter’s Basilica, Barberini Palace, Friedenstein Castle, and Palazzo Pitti
  • Hydraulics and siphon designs
  • Survey of Italian ornamental fountains
  • Plans for grottos, labyrinths, and garden walkways

Condition:

Good. Original leather binding rubbed and worn; hinges intact with some wiggle. Text block firm. Scattered age toning present.

Why Collect This?

• First Latin edition of Böckler’s foundational hydraulic treatise
• Illustrated throughout including views of iconic European castles
• Depictions of Italian and German decorative fountains

Item Number: # 28983