Catalog Archive
Auction 117, Lot 651

"Tabula Catadupam Velini Fluminis et Montem Aeolium Caesianorum situmq circum adjacentium locorum exhibens", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Italy

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: d'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
7.5 x 5.7 inches
19.1 x 14.5 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This unusual map centers on Terni in central Italy, and features a spectacular waterfall and Lago di Piediluco. This is from Kircher's masterpiece, an immense and amazing work covering all aspects of anything that dwelled or occurred within the earth's interior - from dragons, to fossils, to mountain springs, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Kircher's work was the first serious effort to describe the physical makeup of the earth, proposing theories (sometimes fantastic) in the areas of physics, geography, geology, and chemistry. He suggested the existence of a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs, as well as the theory that subterranean temperatures increase directly in proportion to depth. Printed on a full sheet of Dutch text (10.7 x 17"). Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger.

References:

Condition: A

Minor foxing in text.

Estimate: $120 - $160

Sold for: $90

Closed on 12/6/2006

Archived