"[Facsimile] Harmonia Macrocosmica seu Atlas Universalis et Novus, Totius Universi Creati Cosmographiam Generalem, et Novam Exhibens...", Cellarius, Andreas

The Dutch-German mathematician and cosmographer Andreas Cellarius is best known for his spectacular celestial atlas, the Harmonia Macrocosmica. His atlas contained a description of ancient and contemporary astronomy including the theories of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe. The atlas was illustrated with twenty-nine engraved plates that are among the most beautiful celestial charts ever made. The charts include illustrations of the heavens and diagrams of the orbits of the Sun, Moon, and planets according to the different cosmological theories. They were richly adorned with elaborate cartouches and baroque elements such as putti in clouds, shells, garlands, as well as portraits of famous astronomers and astronomical instruments. The Harmonia Macrocosmica was published in 1660, and reissued in 1661 by the Amsterdam publisher Johannes Jansson as a supplement to his Atlas Novus. The plates were reissued again in 1708 by the Amsterdam publishers Gerard Valk and Petrus Schenk.

This beautiful volume is a facsimile of Cellarius' stunning star atlas, one of the pinnacle works of the Golden Age of Netherlandish cartography. Originally published by Jan Jansson in 1661, the atlas featured maps showing the universe according to Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe, as well as various constellations. The facsimile volumes includes reproductions of 29 double-page charts, a frontispiece, and a title page, all in full color and printed on paper designed to appear antique. At the end of the atlas, there are 39 pages of German text by scholar Jurgen Hamel providing historical context. Published in Berlin by Coron bein Kindler Verlag. Hardbound in brown faux leather covers with gilt decorations on covers and spine.

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Condition: A

All edges gilt. Contents and covers are in near fine condition. Library stamp on verso of title page.