L13401

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Lot 91
  • 91

Hevelius, Johannes

Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description

  • Selenographia: sive lunae descriptio; atque accurata, tam macularum ejus, quam motuum diversorum, aliarumque omnium vicissitudinum, phasiumque, telescopii ope deprehensarum, delineatio. Danzig: autoris sum[p]tibus, typus Hünefeldianis, 1647
  • Book
First edition, folio (335 x 215mm.), printed title in red and black, engraved title-page incorporating portraits of Alhazen and Galileo, engraved portrait of the author,108 (of 111) engraved astronomical plates on 89 leaves (3 plates folding), engravings in text, astronomical engravings made by the author, antique style calf, lacking 3 plates

Provenance

counts Czarnecki of Poland, engraved armorial bookplate and pressmarks (cf. Konarski, Armorial la noblesse polonaise titree, p.170); sold Sotheby's New York, 7 June 1988, lot 143

Literature

Brunet III, 150; Graesse III, p.267

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

The first important work to be published by Hevelius, constituting the first lunar atlas, it contains the results of four years' observations made from Hevelius's specially built observatory at his home in Danzig. Besides giving illustrations of the moon in all her phases, the work includes an account of Hevelius's instruments and telescopes.