Catalog Archive
Auction 135, Lot 53

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

Subject: Atlas - Celestial

Period: 1856 (published)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 16 inches
35.6 x 40.6 cm
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This edition of Burritt's popular celestial atlas was revised by Hiram Mattison and published by Mason Brothers. Complete as issued with nine maps. 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 Galileo demonstrating his system. Charts include:

1) A Plan of the Solar System Exhibiting its Relative Magnitudes and Distances... (double-page).
2) The Constellations - January, February, and March.
3) The Constellations - October, November, and December.
4) The Constellations - April, May, and June.
5) The Constellations - July, August, and September.
6) The Constellations for each Month in the Year (Southern Hemisphere)
7) The Constellations for each Month in the Year (Northern Hemisphere).
8) Double Stars and Clusters (uncolored).
9) Clusters, Nebulae, and Comets (uncolored).

References:

Condition: C+

Lightly toned with some minor foxing. Several short tears, some closed with paper tape, mostly affecting the covers and first map. The spine and gutters have been reinforced with linen binding tape.

Estimate: $250 - $300

Sold for: $275

Closed on 2/16/2011

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