[Fencing]. LA TOUCHE (Philibert de). Les vrays principes de - Lot 120

[Fencing]. LA TOUCHE (Philibert de). Les vrays principes de l'espee seule, dediez au Roy. Par le Sr de la Touche... [à la fin] : A Paris, de l'Impr. de François Muguet ; 1670. In-4 oblong, [1] f. (engraved title), [9] f., 102 p., [1] f. (privil.), pl., portr., period brown calf, 5-nerved spine, calf title-piece, ornate caissons (defects including one uncovered cap, the other torn off, dull corners and edges; mq. upper guard, title a little faded, soiling and stains, tear without damage to errata f. and p.59, missing foot margin of portrait). First edition of this treatise by Philibert de la Touche, born in Nevers around 1620, holder of the office of Master of Arms to the Dauphin from 1677. It is illustrated with a copper-engraved title showing the Dauphin receiving a sword from the king, accompanied by a figure bearing La Touche's coat of arms on a shield on the back; and 36 copper-engraved plates, including a portrait of the author and 35 plates depicting fencing scenes that combine precision and elegance. Provenance: Benou (? old signature on title); De Chermont Du Poncet, Valenciennes, 1776 (handwritten bookplate); O'Delant, Valenciennes, 1817 (handwritten bookplate).