Arte of Shooting, Artillerie – Niccolò Tartaglia – 1588 | First English Edition

Three Bookes of Colloquies Concerning the Arte of Shooting is a rare 1588 English translation of Niccolo Trataglia’s Quesiti et inventioni diverse. First written in Italian, this book was a widely-respected treatise on artillery, cannon-making, and ballistics. It addresses measurement of ranges, projectiles of various materials, and methods for testing gunpowder; as well as preparation of artificial saltpeter, refinement by water or fire, and the proper treatment of charcoal for powder.

This 1588 first English edition was central to the study of artillery in England and is notable for includes countless in-text woodcut illustrations of cannons, shells and ammunition, ships and sea battles, and protractors.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Three bookes of colloquies concerning the arte of shooting : in great and small peeces of artillerie, variable randges, measure, and waight of leaden, yron, and marble stone pellets, minerall saltepeeter, gunpowder of diuers sortes
• Author(s): Niccolò Tartaglia
• Contributor(s): Cyprian Lucar (Translator)
• Publisher: London, [by Thomas Dawson] for John Harrison the elder
• Edition: First edition, 1588
  • Edition point: p. 77, five lines from bottom, last word – “sayde”
    • (was later spelled “saide”)
• Format: Size and format
• Binding: Leather spine and corners with marbled boards
• Size: 11 in × 7.75 in (27.5 cm × 20 cm)
• Collation: [8], 80, [4], 120, [2]
  • p. 3 misnumbered ‘5’
  • p.37 misnumbered ‘45’
• Illustrations: Numerous woodcut diagrams throughout
• Contents Include:
  • Colloquies on ranges and artillery practice
  • Instructions for saltpeter production
  • Methods for grinding and corning powder
  • Lucar Appendix
• Provenance: Contains a manuscript lease memorandum dated 1739 concerning farmland at Pilstorio Farms and Daypy House Farms, naming John Gwin and William Morris
• Reference(s): STC 23689; USTC 511050; Arber Term Cat. II, 477

Condition:

Good. Leather spine and corners remain strong with mild rubbing, with marbled boards showing surface wear. Text block secure, some leaves with loss reinforced and supplemented, pages otherwise stable and complete. Woodcuts retain clarity.

Why Collect This?

• First English edition of Tartaglia’s artillery treatise.
• Issue point with “sayde” confirming true first printing
• Illustrated with numerous woodcut diagrams

Item Number: #29215