Catalog Archive
Auction 182, Lot 46

"Le Capricorne, et le Verseau", Flamsteed/Fortin

Subject: Celestial

Period: 1776 (circa)

Publication: Atlas Celeste de Flamsteed...

Color: Hand Color

Size:
9 x 7 inches
22.9 x 17.8 cm
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This handsome celestial chart centers on the constellations of Aquarius and Capricorn. The constellations are represented as a water-carrier and a horned goat, respectively. It was published in Jean Fortin's reprint of John Flamsteed's important celestial atlas. Flamsteed (1646-1719) was the first Astronomer Royal of Great Britain, and his atlas featured 30 of the most accurate and detailed star charts of its era. The original edition, being expensive, unwieldy, and not aesthetically pleasing, was reprinted and reduced in size by Fortin in 1776 using Flamsteed's original plates. This smaller, more affordable issue soon became the standard as numerous improvements were made including the addition of new constellations and more nebulae.

References: Warner pp. 84-85.

Condition: A

There are a few spots of foxing that are almost entirely confined to the blank margins.

Estimate: $180 - $220

Sold for: $100

Closed on 4/28/2021

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