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FLAMSTEED, John (1646-1719). Atlas coelestis . Edited by Joseph Crosthwait. London: printed in the year 1753.
FLAMSTEED, John (1646-1719). Atlas coelestis . Edited by Joseph Crosthwait. London: printed in the year 1753. 2° (540 x 377mm). Engraved frontispiece portrait of the author by Vertue after Thomas Gibson engraved title-vignette and engraved headpiece by L. du Guernier after I.B. Catenaro, engraved historiated opening initial and tailpiece, 27 double-page engraved celestial charts after Flamsteed, number 14 on two sheets, all with modern hand-colouring heightened in gold. (Frontispiece and title somewhat soiled, light staining and soiling to dedication, light marginal soiling to plates.) Contemporary half calf, late 19th-century manuscript paper label on front cover (rebacked, covers rubbed, corners restored). Provenance : Cork Institution (early 19th-century stamp on title) -- Joseph Mintern, Killmurry, Passage West, Co. Cork (his presentation inscription to the British Astronomical Association, February 1914, on front blank, further inscription at head of title) -- British Astronomical Association (stamps on title, one at close of text, another at upper margin of plate 18). SECOND EDITION OF 'THE MOST IMPORTANT STAR ATLAS OF THE 18TH CENTURY ' (Honeyman), the impact of the present copy being dramatically increased by fine hand colouring. The atlas was first issued in 1729 as the companion to Flamsteed's Historia coelestis Britannica . As the preface declares, its object was to 'render the indefatigable labours of Mr. Flamsteed as useful and beneficial to mankind as may be, as well as to compleat the Work already publish'd,' showing 'all the constellations visible in our hemisphere, wherein the ancient figures themselves are restor'd.' The stars were positioned and the co-ordinates drawn by Abraham Sharp, while the figures in the constellations were after drawings by Sir James Thornhill and others. The dedication to George II is signed by the astronomer's wife, Margaret Flamsteed, and his literary executor, James Hodgson. The list of subscribers at the end of the first edition was omitted from the second. Neither edition included the preface in which Flamsteed had wanted to give a blow-by-blow account of his disputes with Newton and Halley. Brunet II, 1280; Honeyman 1326.