Ragione Di Adoprar Sicuramente L'Arme Si Da Offesa, Come Da Difesa, Con un Trattato dell'inganno, & con un modo di essercitarsi da se stesso, per acquistare forza, giudicio, & prestezza, Di Giacomo Di Grassi.
Con Privilegio. In Venetia,: appresso Giordano Ziletti, & compagni., M D LXX.
Physical Description
[6], 151, [1] p., [1] pl.: illus.; 126 mm. (Quarto.)
Contents
[T.p., dedic.] - Ai Lettori - [Plate] - [Text].
Responsibility Note
The plate and illustrations are unsigned.
The work is dedicated by Giacomo di Grassi 'Alli molto Magi. Signori ... miei Signori Osservandissimi'.
References
On fencing history see S. Anglo, The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe (2000); H.W. Pardoel, Fencing: a bibliography (after 1996); E. Castle, Schools and masters of fence (1892; 3rd ed. 1969); C.A. Thimm, A complete bibliography of fencing (1896).
Summary Note
The plate and illustrations are engravings, showing swordsmen, in 16th-century dress. A few illustrations show men wielding pikes or spears.
An English translation of the work was published in 1594 (Giacomo Di Grassi his true Arte of Defence).
Provenance
ita
The front pastedown is inscribed in pencil, S:A:H', i.e. S.A. Hart, librarian of the Royal Academy 1864-81.
Purchased for RA Library in 1869 (see 'Library Report for the Year 1869', RA Annual Report, Appendix No. 6, p. 27).
Binding Note
19th-century quarter green morocco, red cloth-covered boards; spine lettered 'Grassi Ragione Di Adoprar L,Armi'.
Subject
Fencing - Fencers - Swordplay - Swordsmen - Martial arts - Combat - Techniques - Italy - History - 16th century
Manuals - Treatises - Italy - 16th century
Pictorial works - Italy - 16th century