De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d’Arme

The 1606 treatise of Salvator Fabris

De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d’Arme ("On Defense, or the Science of Arms") or Sienza e Pratica d’Arme ("Science and Practice of Arms") is an Italian fencing manual written by Salvator Fabris and printed in Copenhagen in 1606 by Henrico Waltkirch. It was based on Fabris' earlier manuscript treatise Scientia e Prattica dell'Arme (GKS 1868 kvart); the text was rewritten in a more flowery manner, and the artwork of the manuscript (which was drawn from life) was redrawn in an exaggerated, classical style. It includes a title page and portraits engraved by Nicolaus Andrea of Flensburg, heraldry and most illustrations by Christian Ⅳ's court artist Jan van Halbeeck, and additional illustrations by Francesco Valesio.

Scienza d’Arme treats the use of the rapier, both solo and in conjunction with the dagger and the cloak; it also discusses unarmed defenses against the dagger. Fabris' treatise is one of the most influential rapier manuals in history, reprinted many times and copied or expanded by numerous other authors for over a century after his death.

This is not a ‘true’ facsimile in that it does not seek to reproduce a single specific copy of the book. Rather, combines pages from nearly a dozen copies in various libraries and collections containing annotations and other use marks, as well as various types of print errors commonly seen in copies of the book. It also includes seventeen pages that were painted by an early modern artist. In this way, it seeks to represent as fully as possible the realities of books in the 17th century.

This facsimile is printed on cotton rag paperto simulate the texture and handling of contemporary paper, sewn in signatures replicating the structure of the book, and and bound in black velvet based on a copy in Copenhagen. The page size is 8 ½ × 12 ½ inches (216 × 317 mm).

As part of this project, we are also creating a prestige edition of A. F. Johnson’s English translation of Fabris’ treatise. This book is fashioned using the same materials as the facsimile and lays out the translation to match the original book as closely as possible.

Edition size: 150 copies (facsimile), 150 copies (prestige edition)

$300
$300