Zodiac Signs, John Flamsteed Celestial Atlas, Antique Astronomy Prints 1776

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Flamsteed Title Page FLA202 NFS

Constellation Ursa Major, Ursa Minor Encyclopedia Londinensis FLA82 $245	Constellation Ursa Major, Ursa Minor Encyclopedia Londinensis FLA62 $245

Planetary Star Map FLA66 $235	Planetary Star Map FLA67 $255

Planetary Star Map FLA84 $265	Constellation Pegasus FLA70 $265

Charioteer, Camelopardalis Constellation FLA72 $245	Orion, Eridan, Taube Constellation FLA71 SOLD

Astrological Sign Virgo FLA77 $265	Wallfisch, Cetus Sea Dragon Constellation FLA74 $225

Cancer, Constellations Ursa Major, Leo Minor FLA76 $245	Consellation Ursa Major FLA73 $245

Virgo, Cancer, Leo Signs, Hydra, Sextans, Crater Consellations FLA75 $225	Virgo, Leo Signs, Hydra, Sextans, Crater Constellations FLA78 $225

We are very pleased to present these beautiful hand colored copper engravings from the 1776 edition of the Atlas Celeste de Flamsteed, updated by J. Fortin in 1776. Flamsteed was born into a prosperous family & was largely self taught as he did not attend University due to poor health. His extensive studies in astronomy resulted in his being appointed the first Astronomer Royal by King Charles II, with the Royal Observatory at Greenwich being built for him to continue his observations of the heavens.

Flamsteed was the first astronomer to sight Uranus in 1690, naming it 34 Tauri, as he believed it to be a star. He accurately calculated the solar eclipses of 1666 and 1668. In 1677 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society & was a peer of such illustrious scientists as Newton, Moore and Halley, with whom his relations were contentious. His Celestial Atlas was published ten years posthumously by his wife. It set the standard in professional astronomy for almost a century, with the positions of over 3,000 stars given more accurately than ever before.

This superbly decorative work was re-worked by Fortin in 1776. The prints are ORIGINAL copper engravings that have been beautifully hand colored by one of the few remaining professional colorists. Each print measures approximately 10 by 8 3/4 inches. The condition of the plates is very good, with the paper being a strong, watermarked chain lined type in a soft white. There are a few mostly marginal fox marks as shown. A copy of the title page will be provided.