This rare set of 10 architectural engravings were created by Francesco de Marchi (1504-76), a courtier, adventurer, and self-taught military engineer who served in his early career under the Duke of Florence, Alessandro de Medici, and, beginning in 1538, under the nephew of the Pope. In 1542, he began work on a treatise on civil and military architecture, illustrated with engravings of various fortifications, based on his own military experiences. His plans were posthumously collected and published by Gasparo dall'Oglio in Della Architettura Militare (1599). Art historian Horst de la Croix described the work, which includes 157 copperplate plans, as "the most comprehensive survey of the state of military architecture in the second half of the sixteenth century." De Marchi's plans greatly influenced Vauban, the great military engineer who served under Louis XIV. The engravings in this lot include rich detail of architecture, ships, artillery, and more. These examples are from an edition without plate numbers.

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The engravings are sharp impressions and range from B+ to B condition, with light toning along the centerfolds, short wormtracks, light soiling, and some dampstaining.