Decorative Items & Celestial

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Price

1087

[The Dance of Death] SCHEDEL, D. Hartmann.
[Dance of Death.] Nuremberg, Anton Kolberger, 1493, German text edition. Woodcut, printed area 190 x 220mm, set in text.
The famous scene of dancing skeletons from the famous 'Nuremberg Chronicle'.

SOLD

1088

[St Helena Gore Sheet] CORONELLI, Vincenzo Maria.
[Untitled Gore Sheet of the South Atlantic.] Venice, 1688. 470 x 290mm at top, tapering to 190 at bottom.
A gore sheet, designed to be pasted onto a globe 110cm in diameter, showing the South Atlantic islands of Ascension, St Helena and Tristan di Cunha. To fill the vast gaps Coronelli has engraved several vignettes of natives whaling, spearing whales with twin spouts, serrated horns and large fangs. A very decorative item.

SOLD

1089

[Miniature Leo Belgicus] JOURNAL DE LA BELGIQUE.
[Leo Belgicus.] Brussels, 3rd February, 1815. Wood engraving, printed area 45 x 35mm, set in text. Two tax stamps.
A small 'Leo Belgicus', used as the logo of a four-page newspaper in French, giving news from around Europe the month before Napoleon's return from Elba. On the lion's shield is written 'L'Union Fait la Force'.

£120

1090

[Atlantis] KIRCHER, Athanasius.
Situs Insulæ Atlantidis, à Mari olim absorbtæ ex mente Ægyptiorum et Platonis descriptio. Amsterdam, c.1665. 100 x 165mm, set in text.
The mythical island of Atlantis according to Plato, between the Straits of Gibraltar and America, orientated with north to the bottom. Published in the 'Mundi Subterranei', an early geological work. Kircher, a Jesuit scholar, was one of the first compilers of knowledge of the physical features of the world.

SOLD

1091

NO ITEM

1092

[Mythical Island of Taprobana, a Rare Example in Contemporary Colour] WÄLDSEEMÜLLER, Martin.
[Tabula XII Asiae.] Strassburg, Johannes Grüninger, 1525. Contemporary body colour. Woodcut, printed area 280 x 460mm. A few small worm holes.
The Fries reduction of Wäldseemüller's Ptolemiac map of Taprobana, the mythical island in the Indian Ocean that has been associated with both Ceylon and Sumatra. Here it is depicted on the Equator, west of India. Originally intended not for a Ptolemy edition but for a new 'Chronica mundi' being written by Wäldseemüller, his death c.1520 caused the project to be shelved, so the woodcuts were used to publish a smaller sized and so cheaper edition of the 'Geography'. On verso is a Latin text surrounded by ornate woodcut borders. Originally published in 1522, this edition only has a title on verso.

£1,250

1093

[European Queen] MUNSTER, Sebastian.
[Europe depicted as a Queen.] Basel, c.1580. German edition. Old colour. Woodcut, printed area 260 x 160mm.
The famous anthropomorphic map of Europe. The head is Iberia, Denmark the left arm, Italy the right with Sicily an orb in the hand. The British Isles are shown, but not integrated into the figure. MCC: 1, item 6.

£1,200

1094

[A Very Scarce Plan of Newmarket Racecourse, Printed on Silk] BODGER, John.
To his Royal Highness the Price of Wales, The Noblemen & Gentlemen Members of the Jockey Club, This Print of Newmarket Heath, Is by Permission dedicated by their most obedient humble servant - John Bodger. Published as the Act directs, October 29th, 1787, & Sold by the Proprietor John Bodger, Land Surveyor, at Stilton, Huntingdonshire. - Mess.rs Boydell, No 90 Cheapside. Mr Weatherby No. 7 Oxendon Street, Haymarket, London: and at the Coffee Room Newmarket, Where may be had, Charts of Whittlesea Mere, the most Spacious Fishery in England. Aquatint with line engraving, printed on silk, touches of hand colour. Printed area 450 x 680mm. Some old folds, one split reinforced with archivist's tape on verso; however it is in remarkable condition for silk of this age.
A very unusual plan of the famous racecourse, on a scale of c.1:9,600, marking the starting and finishing points of 18 different races. The various texts give a history of the course and a calendar of events. Above the title is a vignette view of a three-horse race approaching the finish line. Apart from being printed on silk, this map is unusual for its use of aquatint: this etching process leaves areas of tone, here used to represent the grass of the heath. All the lines, including the lettering, have been added using more traditional etching. As aquatint had only been introduced into England in the 1770s it represents quite an early use of the technique. John Bodger was a land surveyor who dabbled in publishing sporting pictures: he and his co-publisher Weatherby published one of the most famous racing portraits, Wootton's 'The Father of the Turf. Tregonwell Frampton Esqre", 1791. He is known to have published one other map, the chart of the Whittlesea Mere fishery mentioned in the publication line. The other publishers, John & Josiah Boydell, were significant London printsellers who made only a few forays into maps. In 1790 the older brother, John, became Lord Mayor of London. Because silk reacts to sunlight the map has been framed with high-quality UV-sensitive glass.

£2,500

1095

[Sea Monsters] MUNSTER, Sebastian.
Les marins monstres & terrestres, lesquelz on trouve en beaucoup de lieux es partes septentrionales. Basle, Henri Petri, c.1560, French text edition. Coloured. Woodcut, image size 250 x 350mm. Small repair to centrefold..
Munster's plate of monsters of both land and sea, taken from Olaus Magnus' 'Carta Marina' of 1539, with abundant tusks, horns and twin-spouts. One vignette shows a galleon trying to outrun one monster by throwing their cargo overboard, while one sailor takes sight with a musket. Ortelius also adapted many of the monsters for use on his map of Iceland in 1587.

SOLD

1096

[Decorative Wind Rose] JANSSON, Jan.
Tabula Anemographica seu Pyxis Nautica Ventorum nomina sex linguis repræsentans. Amsterdam, c.1690, no text. Coloured. 440 x 550mm.
A finely-engraved table of the winds, depicted by heads suspended in clouds blowing onto a central compass rose. Originally issued 1650 as the first plate in Jansson's atlas of charts (Vol. V of the 'Atlas Major'), this example comes from the Jansson/Hornius Atlas of the Ancient World.

SOLD

1097

[Beautifully Engraved Wind Chart] SEUTTER, George Matthäus.
Tabula Anemographica seu Pyxis Nautica, vulgo Compass Charte. Augsburg, T.C. Lotter, c.1760. Coloured. 500 x 590mm. A few small repaired tears lower margin.
A finely-engraved table of the winds, depicted by heads suspended in clouds blowing onto a central compass rose. The four corners are taken up with allegorical figures of the Seasons.

£1,400

1098

[Titlepage of the English-text Edition] HONDIUS, Henricus.
Atlas or A Geographicke description of the Regions, Contries and Kingdomes of the world, through Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, represented by new and exact Maps. Translated by Henry Hexham, Quarteer-miater to the Regiment of Colonell Goring. A Amsterdam... 1633. Amsterdam, Hondius & Jan Jansson, 1636, English text edition. Original colour. 370 x 245mm.
Titlepage to the fiest volume of the two-volume edition English edition of Mercator's atlas. As usual the English title is on a pasted laberl over a different language, in this case the Fench edition of 1633. The original French publication details are still on show. This English edition was an early attempt by Dutch publishers to break into the English market. It was not a financial success: the two later editons (1638 & 1641) appear to have been compiled from unsold sheets of the first print run. The experiment was never repeated: even Volume Four of The Atlas Novus, containing the English county maps, was never published in English. KOEMAN: Me 41a.

SOLD

1099

[Highly decorative Index to the Maps in the 'Atlas Nouveau'] MORTIER, Pieter.
Table des Cartes etc: Du Sr. Sanson. Contenant Dans cd Vollume. Amsterdam, Pieter Mortier, c.1705. Original colour. 560 x 435mm.
The list of maps is on a letterpress label stuck within the decorative borders. Strangely, it is the second label stuck on, suggesting that Mortier was using up old sheets. Attractive original colouring. KOEMAN: Mor 1.

£460

1100

[Titlepage of a Celestial Atlas] CELLARIUS, Andreas.
Atlas Coelestis; seu Harmonia Macrocosmica... Amsterdam, Schenk & Valk, 1708. Original colour. 430 x 265mm.
The titlepage of the only celestial atlas to be produced in the Netherlands before the nineteenth century.

SOLD

1101

[Titlepage of the First Western Atlas of China] BLAEU, Johannes.
Novus Atlas Sinensis A Martino Martinio. Amsterdam, 1662, Latin edition. Original colour with GOLD HIGHLIGHTS. 430 x 270mm. Repaired tear in bottom margin.
Titlepage of Blaeu's Atlas of China, the first Western atlas devoted to that country. The door represents the opening up of China. In the foreground putti hold up a map of China and Japan and a globe. KOEMAN: Bl 56.

£450

1102

[Petrus Bertius] LANGENES, Barent.
Petrus Bertius Collegii Illustr. Ordinum Regens. Amsterdam, c.1618. 155 x 105mm. Narrow margins top & bottom.
Author of "Tabularum geographicarum contractarum", a geographical text used in several miniature atlases, accompanying maps by Hondus, van den Keere, Mercator and Ortelius.

£350

1103

[Portrait of Sebastian Munster] MUNSTER, Sebastian.
[Sebastianus Munsterus ad lectorum.] Basle, c.1560, Latin text edition. Woodcut, image size 120 x 100mm, set in text.
Portrait in profile of the famous German geographer, (1488-1552). On verso is another woodcut, showing an earthquake in Basle, Munster's adopted hometown.

£80

1104

[Double-Hemisphere Celestial Chart] DE ROSSI, Giovanni Giacomo.
Planisfero del Globo Celeste. Rome, 1687. Coloured. 430 x 560mm.
A fine double-hemisphere celestial chart, with the pictorial constellations named in Italian, published in the Mercurio Geografico. In the borders are depictions of the sun, moon and the known planets.

£1,750

1105

[Celestial Globe] Anonymous.
Globe Celeste . Paris, c.1730, coloured, 145 x 85mm .
An attractive engraving of a table top celestial globe with constellations marked .

£75

1106

[Fine Pair of Celestial Hemispheres] CORONELLI, Vincenzo Maria.
Planisfero Settentrionale, Corretto et Accrescciuto Di Molte Stelle; Planisfero Meridionale, Corretto, et Accrescciuto Di Molte Stelle. Venice, c.1700. Original colour with additions. Two sheets, each c.460 x 620mm. Some very minor repairs to centrefold and edges.
A fine pair of celestial charts, surrounded by decorative engraving in Coronelli's unique style. Each star is keyed to depict its apparent magnitude.

£3,250

1107

NO ITEM

1108

[Christian Constellations] CELLARIUS, Andreas.
Coeli Stellati Christiani Hæmisphærium Posterius. Amsterdam, Schenk & Valk, 1708. Original colour. 440 x 515mm. Small tear just entering the printed border expertly restored.
A beautiful chart of the constellations centred on the autumnal equinox, published in the only celestial atlas to be produced in the Netherlands before the nineteenth century, the 'Atlas Coelestis; seu Harmonia Macrocosmica'. However the constellations are not the traditional ones, but Christian figures, as envisaged by Julius Schiller in 1627 in an attempt to make the iconography of the stars more relevant to his day. Thus the Zodiac is represented by the Twelve Apostles and Pegasus has become Gabriel. All the figures are shown face on, because Schiller thought it would be an indignity to have them show their back sides. His changes did not catch on, causing him often to be ridiculed, but when they were published his charts were the most accurate available. This is the second state, with Schenk & Valk's names added.

SOLD

1109

[Celestial double-hemisphere] SEUTTER, George Matthäus.
Planisphærium Coeleste. Augsburg, Tobias Conrad Lotter, 1760. Original wash colour. 505 x 590mm.
A double-hemisphere map of the Heavens, with the constellations in their figurative forms, with the Zodiac symbols around the rim of both spheres.

£1,000

1110

[Set of 6 Celestial Charts] DOPPELMAYR, Johann Gabriel.
Globi Coelestis in Tabula Planas Redacti Pars I [-VI]. Nuremberg, Homann, 1742. Original colour with additions. 6 sheets, ea. c. 490 x 570mm. Some small defects.
A highly decorative set of six celestial charts showing the fleshed-out constellations in full colour. As the star positions are correct for the year 1730 it is likely that the plates were engraved in the early 1720s, but were not published in atlas form until 1742.

£6,000

1111

[Southern Celestial Chart] DOPPELMAYR, Johann Gabriel.
Hemisphærium Coeli Australe... Nuremberg, Homann, 1742. Original colour. 485 x 580mm.
The skies of the Southern Hemisphere, divided into the Classical Constellations, surrounded by views of the observatories at Greenwich, Copenhagen, Cassel & Berlin. Most of the constellations depicted are still familiar today, but one oddity appears, although unnamed: 'Robur Carolinum' (Charles's Oak) was introduced by Edmund Halley in 1678 but is not one of the 88 constellations recognised today. STOTT: p.94-95.

SOLD

1112

[Very Scarce Celestial Chart] FUNCKE, David.
Planisphaerium Coeleste. Nuremberg, c.1700. Coloured. 485 x 570mm. Minor restoration to the upper centrefold.
Very scarce double hemisphere map of the celestial constellations, based on the work of G.C. Eimmart, here copied by this little known Nuremberg publisher.

£1,800

1113

[Uncommon Pair of Celestial Charts] CASSINI, Giovanni Maria.
Planisfero Celeste Settentrionale calcolato per il corrente anno MDCCXC...; Planisfero Celeste Meridionale... Rome, 1795. Coloured. Two sheets, ea. c.350 x 485mm.
Pair of celestial hemispheres, each with views of four observatories. As the publication of Cassini's atlas was a financial disaster his maps are uncommon.

SOLD

1114

[Uncommon Star Chart on a Flat Projection] BACKER, Remmet Teuniss.
Sterre Kaert of Hemels Pleyn, Waer Door Men Kanwetehoelaet Dat Het is Overde Gehele Aertkloot, Op Alle Meridiane en Polus Hoogte, en, Opwat Lengte en Brete de Voorsz Sterre Staen, Bezuyde en Benoorde de Liniæ Æquinoctiael Amsterdam: J.B. Elwe, 1792. Original colour. 475 x 585mm.
A chart of the Northern and Southern skies on a flat projection similar in style to Mercator's Projection on a map of the Earth. The twelve signs of the Zodiac dominate the centre, with Virgo being split between the two sides. The plate has a long and convoluted history: originally published c.1684 by Johannes van Keulen (a namesake of the chart-maker), it was subsequent republished by de Ram (whose imprint is imperfectly erased outside the printed border at bottom), de la Feuille (who had married de Ram's widow), Ottens and finally Elwe, over a century later. KOEMAN: El 2; WARNER: 1d.

£1,600

1115

[Set of Instructive Cards] LEIGH, Samuel.
Urania's Mirror, or a View of the Heavens. London. Published by Samuel Leigh. 18 Strand. [n.d., c.1830.] Original box with printed title label laid on; complete set of 32 engraved plates laid on card, as issued, backed with original tissue. Original colour. Each card 140 x 200mm.
Designed by 'a young Lady,' to make the study of astronomy 'familiar and amusing', the 32 cards show constellations visible in the night skies of Britain, with easily identifiable classical embodiments. The cards are pricked through with holes of different sizes so that the amateur astronomer can hold them up to a light and get an immediate impression of the apparent magnitude of each star in the constellation.

£2,200

1116

[Celestial Chart With a Moving Dial] MEISSONNIER, F.X.
Carte Météorologique & Astronomique. Paris, c.1880. Tinted lithograph, printed area 590 x 730mm, with rotating dial. Some small repairs; publisher's ink stamp bottom left.
A celestial chart with a pointer to work out the position of the constellations at any time of the year. Around the chart are more astronomic diagrams and instructions.

SOLD

1117

[Aquarius & Capricorn] FORTIN, Jean.
Le Capricorne, et Le Verseau. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

SOLD

1118

[Aries] FORTIN, Jean.
Le Belier. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

SOLD

1119

[Cancer] FORTIN, Jean.
Le Cancer. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart centred on Cancer but with half of Leo and most of Gemini. Published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

£180

1120

[Gemini] FORTIN, Jean.
Les Gemeaux. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

£180

1121

[Leo] FORTIN, Jean.
Le Lion. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

£180

1122

[Libra] THOMAS, Corbinianus.
Libra. Frankfurt, 1730. Original colour. 130 x 135mm.
Engraved by Johann Christoph Berndt for the 'Mercurii Philosphici Firmamentum Firmianum'. Individual zodiac signs of this period are uncommon, especially in full colour. WARNER: 251.

£250

1123

[Libra & Scorpio] FORTIN, Jean.
La Balance, et le Scorpion. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

SOLD

1124

[Pisces] THOMAS, Corbinianus.
Pisces. Frankfurt, 1730. Original colour. 120 x 130mm.
Engraved by Johann Christoph Berndt for the 'Mercurii Philosphici Firmamentum Firmianum'. Individual zodiac signs of this period are uncommon, especially in full colour. WARNER: 251.

£250

1125

[Pisces] FORTIN, Jean.
Les Poissons. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

SOLD

1126

[Sagittarius] FORTIN, Jean.
Le Sagittaire. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

£180

1127

[Taurus & Orion] FORTIN, Jean.
Le Taureau. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

SOLD

1128

[Virgo] FORTIN, Jean.
La Vierge. Paris, Fortin & F.G. Deschamps, c.1795. Coloured. 200 x 245mm.
Celestial chart published in a French edition of the 'Atlas Coelestis', the celestial atlas by John Flamsteed, 1729. Under the chart is a key to the Apparent Magnitudes of the stars. WARNER: 84.

£180

1129

[Theories of the Solar System, in Unusual Contemporary Colour] CORONELLI, Vincenzo Maria.
[Diagrams of the Solar System]. Venice, c.1690. Contemporary colour. Nine plates on one sheet, total printed area 430 x 580mm. Some wear to edges.
The Solar System according to Ptolemy, Descartes, Copernicus, Tico, etc.

£1,250

1130

[The Universe in Fabulous Contemporary Colour] CORONELLI, Vincenzo Maria.
Idea dell'Universo. Venice, c.1700. Contemporary colour, Two sheets conjoined, total 780 x 550mm. Minor restorations. Otherwise a very fine example with extra wide margins.
A set of diagrams relating to astronomy and astrology, with decorative engraving in Coronelli's unique style, with wind head borders. The subjects include a perpetual calendar, the zodiac, the parts of the body dominated by each zodiac sign, the theories of eclipses and a cross-section of the Earth including the various circles of Hell according to Dante's Divine Comedy. A striking piece: Coronelli's works are very rarely found in early colour.

£3,500

1131

[Brahean Solar System] CELLARIUS, Andreas.
Tychonis Brahe Calculus, Planetarum Cursus et Altitudines Oboculos Ponens. Amsterdam, Schenk & Valk, 1708. Original colour. 420 x 515mm. Restoration to centrefold and verdigris cracking.
A beautiful chart of the solar system as hypothesised by Tycho Brahe, published in the only celestial atlas to be produced in the Netherlands before the nineteenth century, the 'Atlas Coelestis; seu Harmonia Macrocosmica'. This is the second state, with Schenk & Valk's names added. Brahe still has the Earth at the centre, with the six known planets (Saturn the outermost) in rings around it. A final circle contains the signs of the Zodiac from Pisces to Libra. The upper corners of the plate contain the title within two large cartouches.

£1,400

1132

[Wall Chart of the Universe] LAPORTE, Etienne.
Carte Astronomique de L'Univers. Paris, 1875. Tinted lithograph with letterpress, 1230 x 870mm. Dissected and laid on linen as issued, some wear to folds.
An educational wall map with a chart of the Solar System printed in blue and black, surrounded with other diagrams and descriptive text in French.

SOLD

1133

[A rare & early diagram of the Sun] ZAHN, Johann.
Schema Corporis Solaris Prout Ab Astronomis Hoc Sæculo Per Machinas Helioscopicas Observatum Est ... Würtzburg, 1686, 286 x 355mm .
A very decorative, rare and fine print of the sun showing sunspots and solar flares from Zahn's "Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus Sive Telescopium" which delved into the nature of optics and explored the uses of the camera obscura, magic lantern and telescope.Johann Zahn (1631-1707)was a philiosopher of the Præmonstratensian order in Würtzburg, he wrote a number of pseudo-scientific works accompanied by engravings of the highest standard. His work was produced during a period of history known as the "Enlightenment" when scientific experimentation and philosophical debate were encouraged by a European nobility hungry for new knowlege

SOLD

1134

[The Moon in Fine Original Colouring] DOPPELMAYR, Johann Gabriel.
Tabula Selenographica... Nuremberg, Homann, 1742. Original wash colour. 495 x 580mm.
Decorative double-hemisphere map of the moon according to J.M. Riccioli, prepared for Homann by Dopplemeyer. Above the map on the left is a large cartouche of putti using a telescope to look at the Moon, an allegorical woman, on the right.

£1,350

1135

[Louis XIV's Globe, in Unusual Contemporary Colour] CORONELLI, Vincenzo Maria.
[A Globe.] Venice, c.1690. Contemporary colour. 460 x 620mm. Centrefold repaired.
A diagram of a huge globe, surrounded by admiring spectators, published to commemorate the presentation of Coronelli's 15-foot diameter globes to Louis XIV of France. Two ornate rococo cartouches contain dedications for each globe to Louis, dated 1683 and 1684. Coronelli, a Minorite Friar and doctor of Theology at the Collegium San Bonaventura in Rome, had become famous for his globes. The French ambassador, César d'Estrées, invited Coronelli to Paris, where he was commissioned by the cardinal d'Estréss to produce two globes, terrestrial & celestial, for Louis XIV, the 'Sun King'. These hand-drawn globes measuring 15 feet in diameter are now in the Grand Palais in Paris.

SOLD

1136

LAPIE, Pierre.
Systemes Planetaires Paris, c.1830, coloured, 225 x 296mm
Depicting an armillary sphere and nine astronomical diagrams showing various planetary theories

SOLD

1137

[Armillary Sphere] CLOUET, Jean Baptiste Louis.
[Armillary Sphere.] Paris, 1770. Original colour. 320 x 555mm. Split in centrefold repaired.
A decorative engraving of an armilllary sphere, with Earth at the centre and the rings representing the various planes, on an ornate stand. Down the sides is a descriptive text. Published for the Geographie Moderne.

£290

1138

[Pair of Globes & an Armillary Sphere] HOMANN, Johann Baptist.
Sphærarum Artificialium Typica Representatio novissime adumbrata. Nuremberg, c.1730. Original colour. 485 x 585mm. Two small tears repaired.
An 18th century representation of a pair of terrestrial and celestial globes and a Ptolemaic armillary sphere, en suite, all on Baroque stands. The terrestrial globe shows Asia, Europe and Africa with simple cartography, the celestial shows various constellations with figures according to Greek mythology. The armillary sphere has a central earth called “Terra,” within horizon, and meridian, the central bands including zodiac, equator, tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and polar circles.

£1,100

1139

[The "Heavenly Castle" built by Tycho Brahe] BLAEU, Johannes.
Stellaeburgum sive Observatorium Subterraneum A Tycho Brahe, nobili Dano, in Insula Hvaena, Extra Arcem Uranium, Extructum circa Anno MDLXXXIIII . Amsterdam, c. 1660, Spanish Edition, original colour, 435 x 555mm Wide margins
Showing the observatory and the various instruments within it, at Uraneburg the "Heavenly Castle" (Stelleburg) built by Tycho Brahe, a Danish noble and the greatest naked eye astronomer of all time. From the Spanish edition of Blaeu's Atlas Major, this edition is the rarest since it was never completed as it was still on the press when fire destroyed the Blaeu printing house at the Gravenstraat in Amsterdam in 1672 Koeman BL 60 A , 32 (40).

SOLD