[ARMS AND ARMOUR]. DE GHEYN, Jacob. The Exercise of Armes. The Hague, 1608. 2o. 32 engraved plates by De Gheyn (3 with fore-margins renewed). Late 18th-century half red morocco gilt. Second edition. The present work was commissioned in the late 1590s by John II of Nassau, as part of his cousin Prince Maurice's reforms of the army of the States-General at that period, which eventually led to success in the war against the Spanish and independence. After a 10 or 12 year period of peace, it was felt that the publication of the work would not be detrimental to the Dutch army, and it was issued in the present edition, which was rapidly recognised as a leading treatise on the subject, and followed by numerous reprints.