Nicolas de Fer held the title of geographer at Louis XIV's court. He was one of the most prolific publishers of plans of European cities in the late seventeenth century. The fortifications plans in Les Forces de l'Europe were designed to teach fortification techniques. Engraved by Van Loon and Schoonebeek after French engineers under the command of Vauban, the renowned military architect. The illustrations often include a description and a legend with the principal buildings; each city plan includes both fortifications and street layout.

Interesting plan of the fortifications of Vienna as they were during the Hapsburg-Ottoman War of 1683-1699. A large Turkish-Ottoman force failed to take Vienna by siege, and was then defeated by a smaller, combined Polish-German force in the Battle of Kahlenberg. The plan notes that Turkish forces laid siege to Vienna for 50 days.

References: Pollak #21, p. 40.

Condition: A

Lovely later color with some show through on the verso.