Lot 37: BODE, Johann Elert (1747-1826). Uranographia, sive astrorum descriptio . Berlin: by the author, 1801. 2° (630 x 422mm). Double-page engraved title, 3pp preface, index, 20 double-page engraved celestial maps decorated with celestial figures

BODE, Johann Elert (1747-1826). Uranographia, sive astrorum descriptio. Berlin: by the author, 1801. 2° (630 x 422mm). Double-page engraved title, 3pp preface, index, 20 double-page engraved celestial maps decorated with celestial figures (minor puncture marks mostly to margins, one small tear to border of plate 15, small hole on fold of plate 20, waterstain to plate 19), unbound. Provenance: occasional pencil annotations.

FIRST EDITION of this celestial atlas that provided a benchmark in its field, a true successor to the great celestial atlases of Bayer, Hevelius and Flamsteed. "Until the later nineteenth century Bode's remained the most comprehensive celestial atlas ever published, the first to attempt a complete representation of the all 15,000 naked-eye stars" (Whitfield, p.104) Bode played an important role in the development of astronomy in Germany, becoming Royal Astronomer and a member of the Berlin Academy. He gave the name Uranus to Herschel's newly discovered planet. His atlas is noted for a number of stars lying outside of the constellations, and he proposed the concept of boundaries to these constellations that would, with later adjustments, become "fundamental to astronomy" (Whitfield, p.104).

BODE, J.E. Allgemeine Beschreibung und Nachweisung der Gestirne nebst Verzeichniss der geraden Aufsteigung und Abweichung von 17240 Sternen, Doppelsternen, Nebelflecken und Sternhaufen. Berlin: chez l'Auteur, 1801. 2° (442 x 270mm). Parallel text in German and French, tables (some light staining). Later fawn library cloth, spine with morocco lettering-piece. FIRST EDITION. Houzeau & Lancaster 1470. (2)

No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.