Catalog Archive
Auction 119, Lot 717

"Tabula Freti Siculi, Charybdis et Scyllae, aliorumque Aestuum rationes explicans", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Italy

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: d'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
6.8 x 4.5 inches
17.3 x 11.4 cm
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This interesting little map focuses on the Stretto di Messina between Calabria and the island of Sicily. It depicts an underground canal, currents, the famous Scylla and Charybdis, all evidently connected to Mt. Etna. 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 - $180

Sold for: $110

Closed on 5/9/2007

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