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Description

Athanasius Kircher. Iter Exstaticum Coeleste. Wurzburg: J.A. and W. Endter, 1671. Second edition. Quarto. ()4, ()()4, ()()()4, A-Tttt4 + 12 engraved plates + additional engraved title. With the engraved arms of Joachim von Gravenegg on the title verso. Later full vellum, all edges trimmed and stained blue.

A very good and complete copy of the second edition of Kircher's astronomical treatise, first published in 1656. Taking the form of an astronomical journey, Kircher's Theodidactus, representing the author in the text, is led through the cosmos by his guide, Cosmiel, depicted in the additional engraved title. Kircher's astronomical views borrow heavily from the theories of Copernicus and Tycho Brahe, and here he compares the merits of these against other astronomical systems. The work is perhaps most extraordinary for the numerous engraved plates which express the cosmological theories of heliocentrism, geocentrism, and celestial spheres, in addition to depictions of astronomical phenomena such as eclipses.

Condition: Moderate edgewear, corners bumped and rubbed, scattered board indentations, scattered staining, lightly soiled all-over, rubbed. Hinges tight, text block edges faintly stained, top edge lightly soiled; bookseller notations to front flyleaf recto, pencil notations to rear pastedown. Title with paper repair to lower corner just touching text, a few engravings with shaved fore-edge margins, scattered minor fore-edge tears; offset throughout from ink with high acidity, intermittent foxing and thumbing, some staining to margins.

References: Brunet III, 667; Caillet III, 5776; Sommervogel IV, 1056. From the Gary Munson Collection


Auction Info

Auction Dates
June, 2023
8th Thursday
Internet/Mail Bids: 21
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