Catalog Archive
Auction 147, Lot 678

"Hydrophylacium Africae Precipuum, in Montibus Lunae Situm, Lacus et Flumina Praecipua Funden Ubi et Nova Inventio Originis Nili Describitur", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Southern Africa

Period: 1665 (circa)

Publication: Mundus Subterraneus

Color: Hand Color

Size:
16.3 x 13.5 inches
41.4 x 34.3 cm
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Fascinating map of the southern part of Africa showing the fountains of the Nile located in an underground cavern beneath the Mountains of the Moon. Kircher's map illustrates a report by Peter Paez, a contemporary Jesuit colleague, that purportedly observed the 'fountains' in 1618. Athanasius Kircher was a Jesuit scholar whose theories included the notion that the world's oceans were all interconnected and there was a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs. Published in Kircher's famous Subterranean World.

References: Norwich #157.

Condition: B+

Attractive color on watermarked paper with some printer's ink residue and a professionally repaired centerfold separation that just enters image at top.

Estimate: $400 - $500

Sold for: $300

Closed on 11/20/2013

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