Unique Celestial Atlas with Stars in Relief Against a Black Sky

"Neuester Himmels-Atlas zum Gebrauche sur Schul- und Akademischen Unterricht, nach Flamsteed, Bradley, Tob. Mayer, De la Caille, Le Francais de la Lande und v. Zach...", Goldbach, Christian Friedrich

This is Christian Friedrich Goldbach's celestial atlas, which is an updated and enlarged version of the Bode–Flamsteed atlas of 1782. This atlas contains 56 plates depicting over 10,000 stars, which is nearly five times as many stars as appeared in the Bode-Flamsteed atlas. This atlas includes 4 hemisphere maps and 52 star charts presented in pairs, with each pair centered on major constellations north of the Tropic of Capricorn. The pairs of maps are printed with the stars appearing as white raised surfaces (in relief) against a pitch black background, with one map depicting the stars, constellations, and coordinates and the opposing map depicting only the stars. The atlas includes an 8-page preface by the director of the observatory at Gotha, the eminent German astronomer Fr. von Zach.

Goldbach (1763-1811) was a professor of astronomy at Moscow and made his observations at the observatory at Gotha. This is the second edition, first published in 1799. Oblong quarto; title page; [8 pp.]; 56 plates. Original quarter calf with tips over flexible boards with engraved title label on front cover.

References: Kanas #6.5.5.1; Warner, pp. 96-97.

Condition: B+

Dark impressions with light toning and scattered foxing. The title page and text have more prominent toning. The front cover is nearly detached. The covers are heavily worn and soiled with some chips and cracks. The spine also has a number of chips.