Grace
Galleries, Inc
(Incorporated 1972)
Armillary Spheres and Globes
by Grace Galleries of Harpswell, Maine
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The concept of the earth as a globe was known as
far back in time as the Greeks and Romans. But it was not until the
start of serious world exploration and trade, in the 16th. century,
that globes both terrestrial and celestial and their accompanying
armillary spheres and orreries, became important scientific and
astronomical instruments.
The armillary sphere was constructed of
rings, often brass or other metal representing the Horizon, the
Ecliptic, the Meridian In the 18th. century many prominent map and atlas publishers also sold globes and spheres, both closely tied to the study of cartography. So important had globes and the study of astronomy become that the publishers included finely drawn engravings of spheres, both apparent and imaginary or "artificielle" as the French called them, in the front pages of their atlases. These pages form the source of this fine collection of copperplate engravings, any one of which would make a delightful and highly decorative companion piece to maps, when framed and hung side-by-side on the wall of a den, study, library, office or general living areas. All items are handcolored copper engravings. We invite you to call or e-mail us for further information on these splendid one of a kind items. Measurements are given in
inches, height first, then width.
Photos shown on listings are
thumbnail versions. |
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$275 |
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$250 |
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S&G110 - "The Artificial sphere." T. Phinn. Engraved by J. Hulett. From T. Salmon "A New Geographical & Historical Grammar containing the True Astronomical & Geographical Knowledge of the Terraqueous Globe." London. 1772. 7X4¼.
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$185 |
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S&G111 - "De La Sphere. Zodiaque." A. M. Mallet. Paris. 1683. From "Description de L'Univers." 6½X4¼. Includes two small globes, one showing California as an island. Text on verso (back) titled "De L'Equateur, ou Equinoxial."
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$275 |
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$175 |
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Grace Galleries, Inc. |
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Home Page — Highlights — About Antique Maps
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and the Poles forming an imaginary sphere with
the earth as its center and intending to show the paths of certain
celestial bodies which appear to be projected against it. The orrery
was an apparatus showing the relative positions and motions of
bodies in the solar system, by balls moved by wheelwork.
Copyright. Grace Galleries, Inc. 2007
This page was last updated on
December 15, 2007
Webmaster John W. Snowe,
Harpswell, Maine
john@harpswell.com
http://abaco.harpswell.com