Antique Maps & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 7232:
Description
This captivating celestial engraving is from John Flamsteed’s
Atlas Celeste. The work was published in Paris by J. Fortin and F. G. Deschamps in 1776. It featured some of the most accurate and detailed star charts available for the time. Jean Fortin was responsible for reducing the plates from the large folio publication of Flamsteed’s atlas. This is the second edition of the atlas with the engravings worked on by P. C. Le Monnier and François Pasumot.
John Flamsteed (1646-1719) was the first Royal Astronomer. Flamsteed spent nearly half a century observing and recording the sky. He catalogued over 3000 stars in his life. Flamsteed also worked to correct Bayer’s represnetations of the constellation figures. However, as he did not want to release unverified data, he kept his records under seal in Greenwich. His observations were pulled for publication in 1712 by Isaac Newton and Edmund Halley, as commissioned by the king. Flamsteed refused to publish for the king, but Newton pirated 400 publications, of which Flamsteed managed to gather 300 of these and burn them.
Paper Size: ~ 10" by 8 1/2" (Fold Out)
Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving with Professional Hand-coloring
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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