VERY RARE EARLY 18TH CENTURY ITALIAN DATED 1710 'HEMISPHARIUM COELI BOREALE,' PUBLISHED BY I. B. HOMANNI, HAND COLORED, HAND SET WOODBLOCK/WOODCUT, LARGE FOLIO,
CELESTIAL, SPHERICAL CHARTED MAP OF THE UNIVERSE, POPULATED W/GALAXIES & CELESTIAL FORMATIONS, FIGURATIVE, ASTROLOGICAL MYTHOLOGICAL HUMAN & ANIMAL CHARACTERS, W/LATIN DESIGNATIONS
(Dated 1710)
Rare, antiquarian, early 18th century Italian large folio, hand colored, handset woodblock printed celestial maps, w/Latin typography & mythological figures
DIMENSIONS:
Paper size: 21 1⁄4" Height x 25 1⁄2" Width
Image: 23" Width x 19" Height
DESCRIPTION:
This absolutely extraordinary early 18th century antique Italian celestial woodblock/woodcut print on heavy mill board paper map, still incredibly remains in exceptional condition. The map itself is in rather extraordinarily well-preserved overall antique condition for a map dated '1710' and which would now be some 310 years old. The pictorial field is largely undisturbed by any noticeable or significant abrasions, deformities, water damage, stains, tears, creases or other depreciating damage. There are two moderate episodes of paper loss, fortunately occurring along and within the print's paper margins. There's a fairly significant chip and corner paper loss at the top right of the print, again, barely interrupting the pictorial image itself. There's also a lesser, less significant episode of paper loss along the lower left margin of the print, again occurring largely within the print's left margin and which fortunately and again, doesn't interfere with the printed image or interrupt the edges of the pictorial field. This loss can easily be remedied and hidden when the woodblock/woodcut is matted with an archival, 100% cotton rag presentation system, that will ensure the early 18th century antique Italian celestial map will last and continue to thrill viewers in the 21st century, much as it initially did in the early 18th century. This is a simply extraordinary, amazing antiquarian object and piece of antique ephemera. It's also exceptionally rare. Exquisite and with wonderful, still largely vivid, saturated, bright color, barely diminished over the centuries by sunlight, handling or moisture. Estate fresh and fresh to the marketplace. Clearly, not something that ordinarily 'falls out of the sky.' Exceptional and very, very rare. Nearly a 17th century piece of ephemera that took a few licks and a few knocks but is luckily, still 'standing at the bell.' Gorgeous and an antiquarian object that collectors generally salivate over and covet. Not 1910, not 1810 but 1710. It remains untouched and undisturbed and exactly as it was first encountered in the fine Boston, Massachusetts estate where it was found. Extremely beautiful.
CONDITION:
Fair to Good overall antique condition. Besides the two episodes of paper loss in the top right corner and along the lower left side, both occurring largely in the print's outside margins, there are two slight tears/creases in the heavy mill board paper that actually occur within the pictorial field of the celestial map, one at the top left of the 'Hemisphaerium' blocked typography, coming in at an angle from the top extreme edge of the paper's upper margin. The second tear/crease occurs along the lower left of the print and it too, slightly interrupts the pictorial field. These breaks in the mill board occurred long ago and point to what appear to be some unfortunately, less-than-gentle former handling of this extraordinary antiquarian object out-of-frame. It's 310 year old condition is still consistent with its antique pedigree and fully commensurate with its age. Still an extraordinary, exceptionally early and remarkably beautiful, hand decorated piece of early 18th century Italian ephemera. Truly 'celestial' and a thing perhaps from the Gods themselves. Divine.