Lot 80: JOUSSE,

Mathurin (b. 1607). La fidelle ouverture de l'art de serrurier ou, L'on void les principauix preceptes, desseings et figures touchant les experiences, et operations manuelles dudict art ensemble vn petit traict‚, de diuerses trempes. La Fleche: Georges Griveau, 1627. 2 o (311 x 205 mm). Engraved allegorical title, 65 numbered woodcut and engraved illustrations, some full-page, full-page unnumbered woodcut, several unnumbered woodcut or etched illustrations, ornamental headpieces and initials. (I1 with small internal hole affecting a few letters, wear and soiling along foremargin of last few leaves.) Contemporary calf (rebacked). RARE FIRST EDITION of Jousse's elaborately illustrated dissertation on locksmithing, a wonderful source-book of baroque ornamentation. "Very few technical treatises qualify as contributions to the history of art. La fidŠle ouverture is one of the elect" (Besterman). The illustrations show designs for locks, keys, key plates, door knockers and larger items: window grills, well-heads, a self-propelled chair for invalids and perhaps the first known depiction of prosthetic devices. Berlin Kat. 1333; Besterman Old Art Books 50; Hofer 26; Rothschild 267.