Catalog Archive
Auction 147, Lot 425

"Descriptio Vorticis Norvegiae et Bothniae Eorumqe Mirabilium Effectuum, quos in Fluxu et Refluxu Operantur", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Scandinavia

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: d'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
7.7 x 7.8 inches
19.6 x 19.8 cm
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This interesting small map shows Scandinavia with two vortices; one off the western coast of Norway and the other in the Gulf of Bothnia linked by an underground canal. The one off the coast of Norway is known as the original maelstrom, a name used to describe a destructive whirlpool. 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. Among his theories was the existence of a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs interlinked with a system of ocean circulation. Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger. On a full sheet of Dutch text measuring 9.8 x 14.9".

References:

Condition: A

Marginal soiling.

Estimate: $240 - $300

Sold for: $180

Closed on 11/20/2013

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