This marvelous engraving is an early view of the moon graphically depicting its craters based on the observations of Kircher and Christoph Scheiner in 1636 and 1650. This example is quite uncommon, as the engraving typically includes a banner-style title cartouche at top, held aloft by putti. Kircher's masterpiece, titled Mundus subterraneus (The Underground World), 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.

References: cf. De Vorsey, Mapping the World Below, Mercator's World Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 28-31.

Condition: B+

A nice impression on watermarked paper with minor soiling, a few printer's creases, and a professionally repaired hole at top left. Professionally remargined at right and bottom.