"Hemisphaerium Orbis Antiqui, Cumzonis, circulis et situ Populorum Diverso", Cellarius/Schenk & Valck

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.

A superbly engraved and embellished chart shows the Eastern Hemisphere with the climatic zones, ranging from Frigida Borealis to Torrida, with planetary details superimposed. The bold engraving carries a nice simplicity that includes countries and some key cities. Australia (Nova Hollandia) is not fully mapped with no coastline on the south and east and a land bridge reaching up to connect to New Guinea. The elaborate border includes fine scrollwork, numerous busy putti and additional diagrams showing armillary spheres and climatic zones. The border also incorporates the two decorative title cartouches. Blank verso.

References: Kanas, pp. 191-94; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #HM13:1.

Condition: B+

A sharp impression with full contemporary color on a bright sheet, fully backed with Japanese tissue to reinforce the weakened paper from oxidation of green color. There is some minor color offsetting and a repaired hole in the top margin.