This book by French author Noel Antoine Pluche, a priest, has 621 pages of French text dedicated to natural history. This is the 4th volume (of nine), which is focused on astronomy and geography. Included with the text are a number of engravings showing various scientific tools and processes. There are a total of 12 maps within the book including two celestial maps (on four sheets) by Jean Back showing the northern and southern skies. The constellations are finely engraved with figures, including Orion, Gemini, Perseus, Leo, Arcturus, Hercules, Sagittarius, and the Milky Way. Other maps in the volume include a Ptolemaic map of the ancient world, and maps covering portions of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Full contemporary calf with gilt tooling and title on the spine.

We have sold the Back maps separately including in auction 139 and auction 127.

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Condition: B+

Maps are very good to near fine with occasional faint dampstains mostly in the margins and some light offsetting to a few maps. Text is mostly clean with occasional minor foxing. There is light shelf wear, spine has some minor cracks, and the front cover is bowed.