Military.- Elton (Richard) The Compleat Body of the Art Military, first edition, initial licence f., engraved portrait frontispiece by John Droeshout, title within typographic border, 5 woodcut and letterpress diagrams, of which 2 double-page and 3 folding, further diagrams in text, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, small red pencil mark to title, largest folding plate with tear into image and old tape repair to verso with tiny loss, ✝2 & Y1 repaired tears affecting text but no significant loss, T3 & V4 trimmed into diagram at fore-edge, a few ink stains, some light water-staining to foot of first few ff. and upper-margin of second half, lightly browned throughout, heavier to E2&3, early 20th century half calf by Hatchards, slightly stained, extremities rubbed, upper joint cracked but holding, t.e.g., [Wing E653], small folio, for Robert Leybourn, 1650.

⁂ Rare, we can trace only a few copies at auction. Elton's work superseded William Barriffe's 'Militarie Discipline' (1635) as the most popular military training manual in English, and it was an important reference work for English colonists in North America. The largest folding plate is on three sheets and measures c.980mm.

Provenance: Cavalry Club (bookplate; ink-stamp to front free endpaper).