1854 STIELER Twin Celestial Charts N & S Skies 2 SHEETS

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Dernördliche gestirnte Himmel & Der südliche gestirnte Himmel SET OF TWO 38 cm x 32 cm copperplate engravings, 45 cm x 36 cm sheet size, original hand colour, Justus Perthes, Gotha, and Adolf Bonnier, Stockholm, 1854 We are pleased to offer this scarce example of the classic pair of celestial charts or "star maps" from the 1854 Swedish Edition (Espenhorst PP 2.2.1) of the world atlas issued by the renowned Stieler publishing firm established by Adolf Stieler (1775-1836) and later managed by Heinrich Berghaus and August Petermann . The northern chart was drawn by Stieler himself in the 1820s and features charming constellation figures including some astronomical oddities! The southern chart was compiled by Johann Christoph Bär (1789-1848) and does not provide constellation figures but both are serious, scientific celestial maps with stars shown to five orders of magnitude, including a few placed outside the map border on the northern chart as can be seen below. Equivalent to the German Second Edition which was published annually from 1846 until 1854; the Swedish edition was the first authorized international Stieler edition and was first published in 1851. Jürgen Espenhorst in his magisterial study of 19th century German atlas production Petermann's Planet notes that the Stockholm publisher Adolf Bonnier (1806-1867) added his imprint to the bottom of some map sheets in the 1851 edition, but this is not the case here - the plates are identical to the German editions . The original hand colour work on both charts remains bright and vivid, and the pair will make an elegant presentation if matted and framed. The imprints are strong impressions with distinct platemarks, centrefolds as issued, full margins, no text on verso Note "Die Milch-Strasse" stretching across both charts - composed of thousands and thousands of tiny engraved dots: Part of the fascination of the northern chart is its depiction of constellations now considered "obsolete". Beside an angelic "Jungfrau", we find the obsolete Berg Manalus ( Mons Maenalus ) at foot of Boötes. Note "Sobieskische Schild" - a tribute to the Polish King Jan III Sobieski (1629-1696) whose military leadership at the 1683 Battle of Vienna liberated that city from Ottoman rule, making him a hero throughout Europe. Antinous ("The Youth") is now considered an obsolete constellation with its stars incorporated into Aquila, which flies boldly through the Milky Way below as "Adler": More obsolete constellations include " Herschel's Telescope ", the " Lesser Triangle " and the " Northern Fly " (here shown as "Fliege"): Southern Chart is of course anchored by Crux or the Southern Cross, which the chart informs us is not visible from Gotha and other regions of the north: Condition - Please note carefully: These 157-year-old maps are in overall good condition as can be ascertained from photos . However bidders should note that both plates exhibit very faint browning along the centrefolds, confined to the lower half of southern chart and scarcely noticeable at that while . This would appear to be the remnants of old glue on verso to attach a binding strip and the affected area is confined to a very narrow vertical band ~ 5mm wide. This can be evaluated in photos, and it should be noted that the contrast of the digital images makes it show more pronounced than actual appearance. Image areas of both plates otherwise pristine. Both plates also exhibit extremely faint conjugate dampstains to lower margin corners; scarcely noticeable and far outside central image areas. A little trivial soiling to margin corners, centrefolds as issued, no text on verso. Inquiries welcome and we encourage you to visit our other auctions on eBay. Note: Final auction price includes insured shipment within continental United States. All other customers to pay actual shipping costs via traceable means including full insurance. International buyers are wholly responsible for any applicable customs fees, duties or taxes upon receipt; these charges are... read more

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