Quadrans Magnus Chalibeus in Quadrato etiam chalibeo compraehensus, unaque Azimuthalis.
Florence: EDIZIONI PONTE VECCHIO, n.d. Brahe, Tycho. Later Printing. Elephant Folio. Very Good. Item #13332
A GORGEOUS later restrike of a 1662 copperplate engraving of an astronomical instrument printed by Johan Blaeu, taken from the original drawings of Tycho Brahe, the most important astronomer of the 16th century.
Published by Edizioni Ponte Vecchio, originally from Blaeu's "Grooten Atlas". The image of this engraving first appeared in Brahe's "Astronomiae Instauratae Mechanica" in 1589.
Hand-colored and quite vibrant, this piece documents an important part of the dawning of the modern age of Astronomy. Brahe was passionate about using science as the foundation for his observations, as opposed to using his observations to reinforce preconceived notions about the heavens.
He was "the first competent mind in modern astronomy to feel ardently the passion for exact empirical facts" - Burtt.
Blaeu remains one of the most important figures in the history of print as it relates to science, specializing in cartography.
"Blaeu's world map, Nova et Accuratissima Terrarum Orbis Tabula, incorporating the discoveries of Abel Tasman, was published in 1648. This map was revolutionary in that it "depicts the solar system according to the heliocentric theories of Nicolaus Copernicus, which show the earth revolving around the sun.... Although Copernicus's groundbreaking book On the Revolutions of the Spheres had been first printed in 1543, just over a century earlier, Blaeu was the first mapmaker to incorporate this revolutionary heliocentric theory into a map of the world." - Brotton
This piece is printed on laid paper and measures 22" X 16" and is perfect for framing and display!
Price: $325.00