HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687) - photo 1
HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687) - photo 2
HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687) - photo 3
HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687) - photo 4
HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687) - photo 5
HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687) - photo 6

HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687)

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£ 37 800
Auction dateClassic
14.12.2022 10:30UTC +01:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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United Kingdom, London
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ID 870820
Lot 147 | HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687)
HEVELIUS, Johannes (1611-1687)

Machinae coelestis pars prior; organographiam, sive instrumentorum astronomicorum omnium. Danzig: Simon Reiniger for the author, 1673.

First edition of the first volume of Machinae Coelestis. The work describes the astronomical apparatus of Hevelius's observatory at Gdansk, which was, until the fire of 1679, 'the best equipped in Europe at the time' (Dibner). Hevelius was a highly skilled designer, fabricator, and engraver of instruments, and the techniques for manufacturing a wide array of instruments are given in detail. These designs — particularly those for telescopes — were of 'very great interest to his contemporaries' (DSB VI, p.326). The second volume of the Machinae coelestis, largely devoted to observational data, is extremely rare due to a fire on 26 September 1679 which destroyed the observatory, the printing press, Hevelius's house, and most of the copies of volume II which had just been printed. Estimates of the number of extant copies of the second volume vary, and only 15 can be traced around the world: Norman states that 'fewer than 100 copies of the second volume survive'; Brunet (describing it as 'très-rare') notes that Joseph de Lalande knew of only 34 copies; and Dibner asserts that 'scarcely a dozen copies ... survived the fire'. Perhaps for the same reason, copies of the first volume are also rare. Brunet III, 149; BL German 1601-1700, H-1030; Dibner, Heralds 10; Norman 1068 (volume I only).



Volume I only (of 2), folio (380 x 235mm). Half-title, additional allegorical engraved title by Adolf Boÿ after Jeremias Falck, 30 engraved plates of astronomical instruments, of which 5 double-page mounted on guards, by Isaak Saal after Andreas Stech, dedicatory letter to Louis XIV with engraved allegorical head- and tailpiece and engraved initial with royal insignia, woodcut initials and tail-pieces, type-ornament head-pieces (final leaf of dedication B3 with 150mm tear due to paper flaw affecting 2 letters only and without loss, double-page plate AA seemingly supplied and with a few short marginal tears at gutter, scattered spotting to leaves 2I4-2K1, gathering 3K faintly browned, small faint dampstain confined to margin at gutter). Contemporary vellum, manuscript title on spine, yapp edges (extremities lightly rubbed and bumped, covers lightly soiled). Provenance: University of Halle (duplicate disposal stamps on verso of title) – Michaelis Chasles (bookplate).





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