Engraved celestial chart, with map of the northern hemisphere at the center, with the signs of the zodiac in a surrounding band, winged cherubim in the ether beyond; the map and zodiac band with contemporary or original coloring. 43x51 cm. (17x20").

Attractive celestial chart with the northern hemisphere, featuring California as an island, at the center. McLaughlin describes it succinctly, "Shows circular ring of zodiac symbols with lines connecting each to others. At center is map of the northern hemisphere, including California as an island with rounded northern coastline." Burden goes into more detail: "This celestial chart is from Cellarius' famous atlas, like the previous item, and depicts the planetary aspects of the zodiac. Beautifully engraved by Joannes van Loon, it similarly bears a North Polar projection map, although this one is slightly larger at 120 mm. in diameter. Its greater size enables it to depict more detail. Two rivers in the west of North America flow south-westwards. The Rio del Norte of the period is unnamed, and to its north is the R. del nova. California is an Island, and farther north we find a large land mass entitled N.o Albion, separated from the mainland by Anian [though on this later state of the map Anian has been removed]. The map appears to be pro-English, identifying New England and Bermuda, but omitting any reference to New France or even New Netherlands. Florida is also identified..." First issued in 1660, in Cellarius' Atlas Coelestis; this map is the 1708 state, published by Valk & Schenk, plate 15 in the atlas.

References: Burden 346; McLaughlin Celestial Charts 4; Koeman, Atlantis Neerlandia, Vol. 4, Cel 3; P-LG 4274.