This lot of 8 engravings appeared in Atlas Methodique et Elementaire de Geographie et d'Histoire, published by Louis Charles Desnos. They diagram three different views of the universe (Brahe, Copernicus and Descartes), eclipses of the sun and moon, the seasons, wind roses, and more. Each includes columns of explanatory French text and a superb decorative border draped with a delicately engraved floral garland and bedecked with navigational and mapmaking instruments and tools. The borders were printed from a separated plate, making this a very expensive production for the publisher.

A. Centre du Monde Systemes de Ptolomee et de Ticho-Brahe. Condition: (A)
B. Systeme de Copernic. Condition: There is minor loss along the upper centerfold in the decorative border. (B+)
C. Systeme de Descartes. Condition: There are a few faint spots in the image, a short centerfold separation confined to the bottom blank margin, and a minor dampstain along the top sheet edge. (A)
D. Du Zodiaque et de l'Eclyptique. Condition: A bit of soiling, otherwise fine. (A)
E. Explication des Saisons. Condition: There are several creases adjacent to the centerfold. (B+)
F. Premiere Observation l'Ete Est de 8 Jours Plus Long que l'Hyver / Deuxieme Observation la Chaleur Est Plus Grande, Lorsque le Soleil Est a Notre Egard, dans sa Plus Grande Distance. Condition: There is a minor crease adjacent to the centerfold. (A)
G. Poles du Monde, de l'Eclyptique, et de l'Horison, Points des Equinoxes, et des Solstices, Points Cardinaux, et Collateraux. Condition: (A)
H. Definitions Preliminaires des Termes de Geometrie Necessaires pour l'Intelligvence de la Sphere et du Globe. Condition: (A)

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Condition:

Nice impressions on watermarked paper with wide original margins. See description for additional details.