THE ART OF BATTLEFIELD SKETCHING. 8vo. (14), 104 pp, plus 10 folding engr. plates (of which 5 colored). Bound in contemporary boards with gilt title label on spine. A fresh copy, excellent. Extremely rare first edition of this practical manual for military artists, presenting a “new, improved drawing board” [Schreibtafel] especially designed for the accurate rendition of strategic maps and plans. As the title states, the work of the “young officer” tasked with preparing these sketches is indeed an art (Kunst), and he must take into account various considerations including the types of colors to use; how to geometrically and spatially render his eyewitness views; transferring a rough sketch to a fine copy; and so on. The plates depict sample views and sketch elements as well as drawing instruments. Particularly interesting are the comments on the dyes used in this field of military cartography: “Mountain Blue is a light blue color, and must be ground with pure water on a hard ‘color stone’ or also in a ‘serpentine mortar’. When using it, one must mix in a little less verdigris derived from mussels – or even better, fish bile; in this way the color is better applied… Berlin Blue must be ground very finely, at best with a few drops of lemon juice, or unprocessed honey… Chemical, or Wonder Blue is a chemically-derived color, which dissolves in pure water, and is used to depict water. It is in fact more expensive than Carmine, but goes a lot further…” etc. etc. The author (1728-1783) seems to be little-known outside of his published works, but was an architect and engineer by profession as well as a member of the Imperial Academy of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The present first edition is held in just a handful of institutions worldwide, per OCLC; no copies are found in US libraries. Further editions appeared in 1781 and 1785; the former is held at the University of Michigan.