Coronelli, Vicenzo Maria | First edition of this prolific mapmaker's work

From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft

Coronelli, Vicenzo Maria

Epitome Cosmografica, O Compendiosa Introduttione All'astronomia, Geografia, & Idrografia. Venice: Andrea Poletti for P. Coronelli, 1693

Small 4to (180 x 130 mm). Engraved additional title, 33 (of 37) plates, comprising: 2 (of 6) circular folding celestial and terrestrial charts, 31 engraved plates, maps and diagrams, mostly double-page, one with 6 volvelles, including several illustrations of globes, armillary spheres and one plate showing globe gores; lacking 4 of the circular folding charts, the first with upper section separated along fold, one plate loose in binding and shorter, occasional spotting and a few intermittent stains. Contemporary limp vellum, spine lettered in ink; upper spine restored, endpapers renewed, some wear and cracking of vellum.

First edition. Coronelli founded the Accademia Cosmografica degli Argonauti in Venice in 1684 and was cosmographer to the Republic of Venice. He was a prolific globe- and mapmaker, most notable for the globes he constructed for Louis XIV, displayed at Marny and then Versailles.

This work is predominantly an expansion of lectures Coronelli gave before the Accademia cosmografica, and is divided into three books. The first is on astronomy and the points of the compass. The second deals with the geography of the countries of the world and natural phenomena such as earthquakes. The last book concerns the globes, armillary spheres, and astrolabes made by Coronelli and others.

REFERENCE:

Houzeau & Lancaster 8006; JCB 693/50; Nordenskiold 57; Riccardi i, 374-375

PROVENANCE:

Czartoryski Libraries (bookplates, inkstamp on title verso and last leaf)