Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 839

"Atlas, Designed to Illustrate the Geography of the Heavens…", Burritt, Elijah H.

Subject: Celestial Atlas

Period: 1835 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 16.5 inches
35.6 x 41.9 cm
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Complete celestial atlas with eight hand colored charts of the constellations. This popular star atlas was intended for the general public, rather than for professional astronomers. Only the brighter stars and nebulae, and their allegorical forms, are depicted on the charts. The stiff paper covers include a vignette of astronomers using a telescope. Charts include:

1) A Plan of the Solar System Exhibiting its Relative Magnitudes and Distances...
2) The Visible Heavens in January, February, and March.
3) The Visible Heavens in October, November, and December.
4) The Visible Heavens in April, May, and June.
5) The Visible Heavens in July, August, and September.
6) Southern Circumpolar Map for each Month in the Year.
7) Northern Circumpolar Map for each Month in the Year.
8) A Celestial Planisphere, or Map of the Heavens.

References:

Condition: C+

Covers are stained and worn and separated from the plates. Maps with original color, toned with scattered foxing and a few pencil marks. There is archival tape holding the pages together in the atlas.

Estimate: $300 - $400

Sold for: $375

Closed on 12/3/2008

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