Du Fait de Guerre, by Flavius Vegetius Renatus, 1536

THF239587 / Du Fait de Guerre, by Flavius Vegetius Renatus, 1536 / front cover
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Artifact Overview

The oldest book in the collections of The Henry Ford dates to 1536. Du Fait de Guerre was a French version of De Re Militari (Concerning Military Matters) written by Flavius Vegetius Renatus around the late 4th century. Vegetius' treatise about Roman-era warfare and military science became a guide for military leaders in the Middle Ages.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Book

Date Made

1536

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Written by by Flavius Vegetius Renatus. Printed by Chrestien Wechel.

Collection Title

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2015.0.3.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Leather

Technique

Printing (Process)
Woodcut (Process)

Dimensions

Height: 12.5 in
Width: 8.375 in
Length: 2 in

Inscriptions

Book plate: EX-LIBRIS | LEON DVCHESNE DE LA SICOTIERE Title page: Ex Lib. Joan. [illegible] | Ex Bibliot S. Eligii | de Mauritania
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    The Henry Ford's Oldest Book

      What is the oldest book in our collections? A French version of Vegetius’s De Re Militari (Concerning Military Matters), published in Paris in 1536.