Catalog Archive
Auction 171, Lot 417

"Situs Insulae Atlantidis, a Mari olim Absorptae ex Mente Aegyptiorum et Platonis Descriptio", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Atlantic Ocean, Atlantis

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: D'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
6.3 x 4.1 inches
16 x 10.4 cm
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This mythical map of Atlantis is printed with north at the bottom, leaving the coast of America to the right, and Africa and Spain on the left. The Island of Atlantis (Insula Atlantis) is a huge land mass which occupies a majority of the Atlantic Ocean. Two mountains and six rivers are depicted within the island, otherwise the interior is blank. The map is embellished with a fully ruled sea, a two masted sailing ship at upper right, a curtain-style cartouche and a simple compass rose. From Kircher's masterpiece, Mundus Subterraneus (The Underground World) which 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. On a full sheet of Dutch text measuring 9.4 x 14.7".

References:

Condition: A

A crisp impression with minor toning, a tiny hole in the text below the image, and light damp stains along the edges of the sheet.

Estimate: $350 - $425

Sold for: $550

Closed on 2/6/2019

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