Catalog Archive
Auction 118, Lot 884

"Hydrophylacium Africae precipuum, in Montibus Lunae…", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Africa - Southern

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: d'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
16 x 13.5 inches
40.6 x 34.3 cm
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Fascinating map of the southern part of Africa showing the fountains of the Nile located in an underground cavern beneath the Mountains of the Moon. Kircher's map illustrates a report by Peter Paez, a contemporary Jesuit colleague, that purportedly observed the 'fountains' in 1618. Athanasius Kircher was a Jesuit scholar whose theories included the notion that the world's oceans were all interconnected and there was a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs. Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger.

References: Norwich #157.

Condition: A

Repair on bottom fold in blank margin. Bit of minor soil in map, still overall very good.

Estimate: $475 - $550

Sold for: $450

Closed on 3/6/2007

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