Ms. Ashburnham 361 (BMLF)
Facsimile (Giunti, Florence 1979); ca. 1480; 38.5x26.5 cm
This magnificent 54-leaf vellum codex is the first version of Francesco's Trattato. The first part is taken up with drawings and reflections on architecture. The second part is devoted to machines, organised in a fairly systematic sequence. First are the instruments and techniques to measure distances, then mills, pumps, carts and machines to lift and move weights. The codex was owned by Leonardo, who made twelve autograph annotations.
fols. 37v-38r: Various types of water-mills, tread-mills and animal-driven mills.
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