Catalog Archive
Auction 119, Lot 383

"[Mexico]", Kircher, Athanasius

Subject: Mexico

Period: 1682 (published)

Publication: d'Onder-Aardse Weereld

Color: Hand Color

Size:
3.3 x 5.5 inches
8.4 x 14 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This unusual map is from Kircher's masterpiece, 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. The map is devoid of political information, except to show Mexico City in the middle of a large lake. Instead it focuses entirely on the subterranean river connecting two lakes with the Gulf of Mexico. Kircher's theories included the notion that the world's oceans were all interconnected. Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger. On a full sheet of Dutch text, 10.5 x 16".

References:

Condition: A

Light scattered foxing in text.

Estimate: $110 - $150

Sold for: $190

Closed on 5/9/2007

Archived