Architecture Hydraulique, Ou L'Art De Conduire, D'Elever, Et De Menager Les Eaux Pour Les Differens Besoins De La Vie. Premiere Partie. Tome Premier. ( - Seconde Partie ... Tome Second.) Par M. Belidor, Commissaire Provincial d'Artillerie, Professeur Royal des Mathématiques, aux Ecoles du même Corps, Membre des Académies Royales des Sciences d'Angleterre & de Prusse, Correspondant de celle de Paris.
A Paris, Rue S. Jacques,: Chez Charles-Antoine-Jombert, Libraire de l'Artillerie, & du Génie, à l'Image Notre-Dame., M. DCC. XXXVII. (-M.DCC.LIII.) Avec Approbation Et Privilege Du Roy.
Each volume includes a list of contents. Volume III contains an 'Avertissement Du Libraire', and Volume IV a 'Catalogue Des Ouvrages De M. Belidor'.
Responsibility Note
The numbered plates are not signed. The frontispieces of Volumes I and IV are both signed as designed and engraved by Rigaud.
The title-page vignettes of Volumes II and IV are signed as designed and engraved by Soubeyran; that of Volume III, as designed by N. Cochin filius and engraved by Flipart. The headpiece of the dedication in Volume I is signed as designed and engraved by Rigaud; that in Volume III as made by A. Aveline. The headpieces of the text in Volumes I and II are signed as designed and engraved by Rigaud; thos of Volumes III and IV as engraved by Chedel.
The printer is named in the colophon of Volume III: 'De l'Imprimerie de J. Chardon'.
The first part (the first two volumes) is dedicated by the author to 'Messieurs De L'Académie Royale Des Sciences' (now part of the Institut de France); the second part (the third and fourth volumes) is dedicated by him to the Comte D'Argenson.
References
B. Marrey, Ecrits d'ingénieurs (1997); A. Picon, Architectes et ingénieurs au siècle des lumières (1988; English tr. by M. Thom 1992); Ted Ruddock, Arch bridges and their builders, 1735-1835 (1979), chap. 4.
Summary Note
The four volumes were published in 1737, 1739, 1750 and 1753. In the second volume the publisher's address is printed as Quay Des Augustins; in the third and fourth it is Rue Dauphine.
The work includes a lengthy description of the pumping installation at Marly (1681-5), which supplied water to the fountains at Versailles.
Provenance
Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
18th-century sprinkled calf; rebacked in 20th century, with gilt-decorated spines and black morocco spine-labels lettered 'Architecture Hydraulique Tom I (-IV)'.
Subject
Hydraulics - Civil engineering - France - History - 18th century
Treatises - France - 18th century
Pictorial works - France - 18th century