Plan de Palma Nova. Wonderfully geometric fortification plan, c1684.

by Mallet, Alain Manesson

Palma Nova with fortification and moat, antique print. Rare copperplate engraving by Mallet for The Art of War published in Paris c.1684 (later colour).

Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) studied mathematics and geometry at the College of Burgundy, under the military engineer, Philippe Mallet (1606-1679). A.M. Mallet then became a musketeer in the regiment of guards of Louis XIV. In 1663 he left for Portugal to enter the service of Alfonso VI. Under Marshal Schomberg Mallet served as an engineer and rose to the rank of sargento-mor (equivalent to commander) of artillery and inspector of fortifications. He greatly assisted in the fortification of Portugal in its skirmishes against Spain during the Portuguese War of Independence. In 1668, after the signing of Spain's Treaty of Independence of Portugal, Mallet returned to France.

He was appointed mathematics teacher of the pages of the King in Little Stable, Versailles (reserved for the sons of the noble families dating back to 1550 or earlier). As master of mathematics Mallet had time to write. In 1671 his first publication was on military science and the art of siege warfare. It was so successful that it was translated into German the following year. In 1684 Mallet published his updated work Travaux de Mars, ou l’Art de la Guerre, “on observations I’ve made on the art of war”, with engraved diagrams for the fortifications of cities and towns throughout Europe, and small scenes “to inspire young nobles to learn to draw, because in fortifications, drawing is not simply a noble propriety, but an absolute necessity”.

Approximate page size: 175 x 125 mm (7 x 5 inches). Unfortunately this wonderful geometric design has print showing through from the reverse, and the left edge of this page has been extended.