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Details
HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687). Selenographia. Danzig: Andreas Hünefeld for the author, 1647.
2o (345 x 221mm). Half-title, title in red and black. Engraved frontispiece by Jeremias Falck after Adolf Boy, engraved author portrait by J. Falck after Helmich von Twenhusen the Younger, 111 engraved plates by Hevelius (including 20 leaves printed recto and verso, one with volvelle and 3 double-page), 26 text engravings, one double-page letterpress table of eclipses. (Some pale dampstaining in upper margins.) Modern half calf preserving early marbled boards.
FINE COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST COMPLETE LUNAR ATLAS. Hevelius's first important work, the Selenographia contains the results of 4-years' observations from the specially built observatory (at one point the finest in the world) at his house in Danzig, using instruments of his own construction. Hevelius describes his instruments in detail, recounts his observations of the planets and discusses lunar markings and the movement of libration (an irregularity of the moon's motion). His observations of the lunar eclipse on 4 November 1649 are contained in an appendix between pp.548-549. The Selenographia ends with a description of a mounted lunar globe, "perhaps the first of its kind, permitting the representation of librational movements" (DSB). Many of the names given to lunar features by Hevelius are still in use. The fine engravings depicting his instruments and lunar maps are by his own hand. Brunet III:150; BYU/Hevelius 1; Cinti 120; Houzeau & Lancaster 1252.
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FINE COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST COMPLETE LUNAR ATLAS. Hevelius's first important work, the Selenographia contains the results of 4-years' observations from the specially built observatory (at one point the finest in the world) at his house in Danzig, using instruments of his own construction. Hevelius describes his instruments in detail, recounts his observations of the planets and discusses lunar markings and the movement of libration (an irregularity of the moon's motion). His observations of the lunar eclipse on 4 November 1649 are contained in an appendix between pp.548-549. The Selenographia ends with a description of a mounted lunar globe, "perhaps the first of its kind, permitting the representation of librational movements" (DSB). Many of the names given to lunar features by Hevelius are still in use. The fine engravings depicting his instruments and lunar maps are by his own hand. Brunet III:150; BYU/Hevelius 1; Cinti 120; Houzeau & Lancaster 1252.