- 53
Celestial Atlas--Piccolomini, Alessandro.
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- De la sfera del mondo... de la stelle fisse. Venice: G. Varisco & Compagni, 1561
- paper
4to (205 x 140mm.), woodcut device on title, 47 full-page star charts (number I-XV and XVII-XLVIII), each one verso and recto of pages, numerous woodcut diagrams in the text, [Riccardi I (270)], recent half calf, small hole at upper edge of title and first leaf (with very slight loss), some light marginal staining
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."
"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
"This work by Alessandro Piccolomini was the first printed star atlas... [and] the first printed set of maps of the stars, as distinct from simple pictures of the constellations" (Warner, The Sky Explored p.200).
These xylographic star maps used Latin letters to distinguish stars of the first four magnitudes. This method was adopted by French constructors of celestial globes in the later sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.