Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 7613:
Description
This remarkable elephant folio celestial engraving is from Johann Elert Bode’s
Uranographia sive astrorum descriptio. Sumtus commodante .. Fr. de Hahn. Atlas or
Uranographia, or a Description of the Star. The work was published in Berlin in 1801 by the author.
Bode was one the most important authors of celestial atlases. His
Uranographia set new standards in the field, and was the most comprehensive work to date. "Among the astronomical authors of the 18th century, he holds the first rank." (ADB III, 1) Further, the size and scale of the engravings are stunning, in elephant folio and printed on unfolded paper they are impressive to view. All edges are uncut, with this issue never being bound by the purchaser / subscriber.
Johann Elert Bode (1747-1826) was a German royal astronomer and director of Berlin’s astronomical observatory. "His star maps, the representation of the stars in 34 sheets, are among the best star maps anyone had." (ADB III, 1) "His two star atlases were for a long time indispensable tools for astronomers. .. the
Uranographia, which surpassed all its predecessors by listing over 17.000 stars and containing, for the first time, the nebulae, star clusters, and double stars discovered by William Herschel." (DSB II, 220)
Paper Size: ~ 39 1/2" by 26 1/2"
Paper Type or Special Features: Elephant Folio Engraving on Unfolded Paper
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint fox marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions. - Due to the size, this will have to be shipped in a tube. The engraving is unfolded paper.
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