IC
Bernd (or JC Bernd; see
https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/11528253)
(fl.1730)
(Upper
engraving) “Camelopardalis” (The Giraffe), 1730, plate
8
(Lower
engraving) “Cygnus” (The Swan), 1730, plate 14
Plate
8 and plate 14 in the series of fifty-four celestial
charts (showing constellations in their zodiac signs—undoubtedly inspired
by Johannes Hevelius’ (1611–1687) star
atlas, ”Firmamentum Sobiescianum sive Uranographia” (1687) (see: https://www.diomedia.com/stock-photo-a-representation-of-the-constellation-of-camelopardalus-the-giraffe-from-the-firmamentum-image15666501.html?eventId=9372
and https://www.diomedia.com/stock-photo-a-representation-of-the-constellation-of-cygnus-from-the-firmamentum-sobiescianum-sive-uranographia-image15666493.html)—to
P. Corbiniano Thomas’ (1694–1767), “Mercurii philosophici
firmamentum firmianum: descriptionem et vsum globi artificialis coelestis, ac
asterismos ejusdem ad ineuntem annum 1730. reductos LXXXVI. Iconismis æri
incisis exhibens” (aka “The Little Sky Atlas”), published in 1730 in Frankfurt
am Main and Leipzig.
The
Morgan Library and Museum offer details about this publication:
Regarding
the celestial chart showing “Camelopardalis” (The Giraffe) in-the-sky.org
offers the following explanation for what I see as a rather strange looking
giraffe:
“The
giraffe in question is supposedly the animal Rebecca rode to marry Isaac in the
Book of Genesis, though the Biblical story itself refers to a camel. Legend has
it that Johannes Hevelius saw the spots of a giraffe in the constellation's
stars, prompting the association."
Ian
Ridpath’s “Star Tales” offers the following description of the Cygnus
constellation:
“A
popular name for Cygnus is the Northern Cross, and indeed its shape is far
larger and more distinctive than the famous Southern Cross. In its cruciform
shape the Greeks visualized the long neck, outstretched wings and stubby tail
of a swan flying along the Milky Way, in which it is embedded. Aratus’s
description of it as being hazy or misty in parts is no doubt a reference to
the Milky Way running through it. The mythographers tell us that the swan is
Zeus in disguise, on his way to one of his innumerable love affairs, but his
exact quarry is a subject of some disagreement.”
Engravings
on laid paper with small margins and backed with a support sheet.
Size
of upper engraving (“Camelopardalis”): (sheet) 15.7 x 17.8 cm; (plate) 13.9 x
14.3 cm; (image borderline) 13.2 x 13.9 cm.
Size
of lower engraving (“Cygnus”): (sheet) 15.9 x 17.4 cm; (plate) 13.9 x 14.3 cm;
(image borderline) 13.5 x 13.6 cm.
Both
engravings inscribed on plate below the image borderline: (left) “I.C.B. fe.”
Condition:
faultless lifetime impressions in near pristine condition (i.e. there are no
tears, holes, losses, folds, abrasions, significant stains or foxing). Both
sheets are laid onto a single support sheet of archival (millennium quality)
washi paper.
I
am selling this pair of exceptionally rare, lifetime impressions of celestial
charts published in 1730, for AU$546 in total for the pair (currently US$379.96/EUR341.13/GBP290.59
at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere
in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some
countries).
If
you are interested in purchasing this pair of small but incredibly beautiful
engravings, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will
send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.
This pair of prints has been sold
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