Catalog Archive
Auction 184, Lot 54

"Atlas Designed to Illustrate Burritt's Geography of the Heavens, Comprising the Following Maps or Plates", Burritt, Elijah H.

Subject: Celestial

Period: 1856 (published)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 16.4 inches
35.6 x 41.7 cm
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This edition of Burritt's popular celestial atlas was revised by Hiram Mattison and published by Mason Brothers. Complete as issued with nine maps. This popular star atlas was intended for the general public, rather than for professional astronomers. Only the brighter stars and nebulae, and their allegorical forms, are depicted on the charts. The stiff paper covers include a vignette of Galileo demonstrating his system. Charts include:

1) A Plan of the Solar System Exhibiting its Relative Magnitudes and Distances... (double-page).
2) The Constellations - January, February, and March.
3) The Constellations - October, November, and December.
4) The Constellations - April, May, and June.
5) The Constellations - July, August, and September.
6) The Constellations for each Month in the Year (Southern Hemisphere)
7) The Constellations for each Month in the Year (Northern Hemisphere).
8) Double Stars and Clusters (uncolored).
9) Clusters, Nebulae, and Comets (uncolored).

References:

Condition: B

Plates have light toning, dampstains along the gutter and sheet edges, and archival repairs to a number of short tears along the lower sheet edge. Plates have been reattached to the wrappers with binding tape. Wrappers are heavily worn and soiled with a small chip to the lower left corner of the front wrapper.

Estimate: $400 - $475

Sold for: $275

Closed on 9/15/2021

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