Catalog Archive
Auction 114, Lot 534

"Communicatio Maris Mediterranei et quod Mortuum dicunt cum Mari Rubro", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Eastern Mediterranean & Middle East

Period: 1682 (circa)

Publication: d'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
6 x 4 inches
15.2 x 10.2 cm
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This interesting little map covers the eastern part of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Nile Delta. It depicts the Red Sea, Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee with underground canals connecting them with the Mediterranean. This is from Kircher's masterpiece, an immense and amazing work covering all aspects of anything that dwelled or occurred within the earth's interior - from dragons, to fossils, to mountain springs, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Kircher's work was the first serious effort to describe the physical makeup of the earth, proposing theories (sometimes fantastic) in the areas of physics, geography, geology, and chemistry. He suggested the existence of a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs, as well as the theory that subterranean temperatures increase directly in proportion to depth. On a full sheet of Dutch text. Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger.

References:

Condition: A+

Estimate: $130 - $160

Sold for: $425

Closed on 3/1/2006

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