Architectura Navalis Mercatoria (Naval Architecture) 2 Vols., c.1768.  This encyclopedia of Naval construction is very rare and has a total of 183 copper plate engravings, each signed by the great 18th century engraver Benard, bound in two volumes containing three sections.  Vol. I, contains two sections, plates 1-9 (Ancres) and plates 1-96 (Marine); Vol. II, contains plates 97-156 (Marine) plus a Marine appendix of a further XVI engravings.  The two volumes have a total of 89 double-page and fold-out engravings.  Seventy-four (74) of the  finest engravings are hand coloured, many of them double or fold-out pages; these include six double and one single page of flags and standards of the great navies of this period.  Other highlights include the manufacture of anchors, the best cuts of wood determined by the shape of a tree, rope making, differing types of ships, ship’s rigging, careening and repairs, dry docks and even an early diver’s bell.   The rag pages are uniformly crisp with no foxing, the edges in original rough cut state.  Both volumes bound in a splendid modern full speckled tan calf with raised spine bands, gilt decoration, embellishments and red or green labels.  The labels state the title, Architectura Navalis Mercatoria and the engraver, Benard I (or II) as required.  The date, 1768, is on the bottom panel. The covers have a double gilt line border and a band of foliated decoration with floral filets at each corner.  The filets extend about one inch to the corners of a blind-tooled chain and central panel.  Superb & Very Rare.