Chinese Celestial Planisphere

Guignes, (C. L. J.) de. Planisphère céleste, chinois, avec des explications, le catalogue alphabétique des étoiles, et la suite de toutes les comètes observées à la Chine, depuis l'an 613 avant J. C. jusqu'à l'an 1222 de l'ére chrétienne, tirée des livres chinois. Paris, Moutard, 1782. 4to (25,5:20 cm). Mit 2 mehrfach gefalt. gest. Sternbildkarten. 2 Bll., 76 S. Ldr. d. Zt. mit farb. Rückenschild u. Rückenverg., leicht berieben.

Cordier, BS 3815 f.; Lust 1153 (A. 1787); Warner, Sky explored 103; Poggendorff I, 976 f. - Erste Ausgabe dieser Abhandlung, selten. 1785 dann auch in Bd. X der "Mémoires des Savans Étrangers" abgedruckt. "The Chinese information was derived from the maps prepared by Grimaldi and was superimposed on the western maps drawn by La Hire. This work was undertaken, at the instigation of Le Monnier, to assist Europeans in identifying Chinese constellations and in making use of Chines astronomical observations" (Warner). "Based on Grimaldi's Fang-hsing t'u-chieh (1711, a classification of constellations)" (Lust). - Gering gebräunt, vereinzelt Fleckchen, die beiden Ktn. auch mit leichtem Druckabklatsch.

Rare first edition of this treatise comprising notes, alphabetic catalogue of stars, also of comets observed from B.C. 613 to A.D. 1222 from Chinese sources. With 2 large folding engraved celestial maps. - Minor browning, occasionally light stains, also slight offsetting to maps. Bound in contemporary calf, spine gilt, slightly rubbed.