MARSIGLI

L’ETAT MILITAIRE DE L’EMPIRE OTTOMAN
SES PROGRES ET SA DECADENCE

LE COMTE DE MARSIGLI

Amsterdam, 1732

Important survey of the Ottoman Empire’s military administration

Folio (260 x 392 mm). 2 parts in one vol. (2), IX-XVI, 151 (but: 153), (1) pp.
（4), 199, (1) pp. In Italian and French throughout. With 3 titles (French for pt.
1, Italian and French for pt. 2) printed in red and black with engraved
vignettes, 34 plates (several folding), 10 engravings in the text (all
numbered 1-44 and 22 bis, nos. 2 and 3 on a single plate), and two large
maps of the Ottoman Empire coloured in outline in a contemporary hand.
Contemporary full calf with giltstamped label to gilt spine. Marbled
endpapers.
First edition ofthis early, finely produced classic, a survey of the Ottoman Empire and itsmilitary administration, finance, and commerce. “His important work on the military system of the Ottoman Empire concerns itself with its finances,
revenues, commerce, etc. Marsigli gives an account of the different military
functions as well as a description of the different types of artillery, mines,
fireworks, etc.” (Blackmer). The work concludes with an invitation to the
Christian princes of Europe to reunite against an enemy who would not be
able to resist the combined disciplined forces at their command.Marsigli
（1658-1730)had accompanied Ciurani, the Venetian bailo, to
Constantinople in 1679, was captured during the Turkish-Hungarian
campaigns of 1682-99 and was appointed by Emperor Leopold in 1699 to
demarcate the frontiers between Turkey, the Venetian republic, and
Hungary. The plates show plans of sieges, battle formations, organisation of
camps, costumes, horses, weaponry and ordnance, equipment, ensigns, etc.
This copy never was bound with the Italian title to the first part; the
preliminaries are complete thus, numbered IX-XVI.Variously browned.
Engraved armorial bookplate “Le Chevalier de la Cressonnièrie” on
pastedown (rubbed and duststained). Inner hinges reinforced with cloth.