Catalog Archive
Auction 127, Lot 851

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

Subject: Atlases, Celestial

Period: 1850 (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 charts of the solar system and 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 paper covers include a vignette of View of the Earth, as Seen from the Moon. 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: B

The color is a bit faded, but the charts are in better condition than most generally found with this atlas. There are a few minor spots in most maps and scattered foxing on the last chart. The covers have minor paper damage along the paper edges.

Estimate: $400 - $500

Sold for: $375

Closed on 2/25/2009

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