The Practical Geometry of the Engineer, or the Art of Measuring.

CLERMONT (Paul de) The Practical Geometry of the Engineer, or the Art of Measuring. Work also necessary for Engineers, Measurers & Surveyors. Divided into eight books, the Titles of which are on the following Page. Dedicated to Monsieur de Vauban. Strasbourg, at G. Schmuck, 1693. First Edition. Strasbourg edition. Complete with 27 folding plates. Full vellum. Quarto (21.5 x 16.5 cm), 12 ff, 272 pp and 27 plates. Smooth spine, title piece affixed. The binding is in good condition, small brown stain on the upper cover; corners, headcaps, and joints preserved. Some foxing and minor oxidations in the work, interior of good freshness. Manuscript inscription of the period on the title page: by the author (Clermont), and "Strasbourg". This work was subsequently published for nearly 60 years until 1750. The work is dedicated to M. de Vauban. An entire chapter indeed deals with the "specific measurement of each piece used in the construction of a fortress". This treatise on practical geometry is intended for engineers, surveyors, and field technicians, it presents the methods of measuring surfaces, distances, heights, and volumes. Appreciated for its interest in the history of applied sciences, it illustrates the formalization of technical knowledge at the end of the 17th century. Paul de Clermont, sieur de Clermont, was an Ordinary Engineer, Professor of Mathematics to the Gentlemen Cadets of Strasbourg. He is also the author of scientific and technical literature devoted to the practical uses of geometry. His work remains of interest for the history of engineering, cartography, and scholarly bibliography.